Adoption Shared

Stories play a powerful role in shaping how adoption is understood, both within families and in wider society. For adoptees, writing can offer a way to explore identity, make sense of complex experiences and reclaim narratives that have often been told by others. This episode focuses on the role of storytelling in adoption, and the opportunities and challenges that come with putting personal exper...

Adopted people often reflect on their experiences differently as they grow older, gaining new perspectives on identity, belonging, family and what support felt most meaningful along the way. This episode centres adoptee experience, offering parents an opportunity to hear directly from someone who has lived it. Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with James, a screenwriting graduate, care-experien...

Children's books can play an important role in helping young children understand adoption, explore questions of identity and belonging, and find language for feelings that can be difficult to express. This episode focuses on how parents can choose books that support meaningful conversations about adoption and help children see themselves reflected in the stories they read. Join host Eddie Ell...

Stories can help adoptive parents see adoption from a different perspective. Whether through memoirs, books, articles or personal accounts, they can open up new ways of understanding a child’s experiences and create opportunities for more thoughtful conversations at home. Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Lisa Mainwaring, a journalist, writer, communications professional and adoptive mum o...

This special episode is part of our Teens and Tweens Support Programme, funded by Adoption England, which supports adoptive parents as their children move into adolescence. It focuses on what adoption can feel like during the teenage years, drawing directly on the voices and experiences of adopted young people involved in Adopteens. Adopteens is a peer support space for adopted teenagers, where th...

Films and documentaries can be powerful tools in helping children and young people understand their adoption story and explore questions of identity, belonging and origin. This episode focuses on how visual storytelling can support meaningful conversations about adoption, particularly as children grow and begin to make sense of their experiences in more complex ways. Join host Eddie Elliott as he...

This episode is part of our Season 6 series, Helping Your Child Understand Their Journey , where we explore practical ways to support conversations about adoption, identity and belonging. Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Sarah Naish, CEO of the Centre of Excellence in Child Trauma (COECT), about how children’s understanding of adoption shifts as they grow. Drawing on her experience as a f...

This episode is part of our Season 6 series, Helping Your Child Understand Their Journey , where we explore practical ways to support conversations about adoption, identity and belonging. Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Toni about one of the questions adoptive parents often wrestle with: when do we start talking about adoption, and what do we actually say? Toni shares practical insight o...

This episode is part of our Season 6 series, Helping Your Child Understand Their Journey , focusing on practical conversations about adoption, identity and belonging. Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Skye Curtis-Guilhen, a dual-heritage adopter to two children and project lead at Yorkshire Adoption Agency, where she focuses on community engagement and supporting adopters from global major...

Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Fiona, an adoptee, adoptive parent, and mentor, about navigating education from both perspectives. With over 20 years of experience supporting women through challenging life circumstances, Fiona is dedicated to helping adoptees overcome emotional barriers and reach their full potential. As the founder of This is Me – I’m Adopted , she provides guidance to...

Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Kate Elliott, a mindfulness practitioner, parent mentor, and trainee counsellor, about supporting adopted children through the education system. As a parent to a child with developmental trauma, Kate understands the challenges families face and shares practical ways to help children feel secure and supported at school. They discuss strategies for managing...

Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Jody about how adoptive parents can support their child’s education at home. Jody shares practical approaches for helping with homework, creating a positive learning environment, and keeping children motivated. They discuss the unique challenges adoptive parents may face, how to balance educational needs with family dynamics, and the importance of strong c...

Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Adele Bates, a behaviour and education specialist and author of "Miss, I Don’t Give a Sh t: Engaging with Challenging Behaviour in Schools."* Adele shares her expertise on recognising behaviour as a form of communication, the importance of trauma-informed approaches, and strategies for building strong relationships with students who may be diseng...

Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Lesley-Ann from NeuroHarmony about addressing behavioural challenges in adopted children. Helen shares insights into understanding the root causes of these behaviours and how they can be linked to a child’s early experiences. They discuss collaborative approaches between parents and educators, practical strategies for managing challenges, and the importanc...

Join host Eddie Elliott as he sits down with Yoni Ejo, CEO of Diversity Adopt , to explore the educational challenges adopted children face, especially when it comes to cultural identity. Yoni shares her story of preparing for her child’s schooling, reflecting on the importance of understanding their cultural and personal background. Yoni discusses how parents and teachers can work together to sup...

Join host Eddie Elliott as he sits down with Julie Harmieson , Director of Education and National Strategy for Trauma Informed Schools UK, to talk about trauma-informed practices in schools, especially for adopted children. Julie shares her experience in creating classrooms that support students' emotional and psychological needs and covers practical strategies for teachers, the challenges sc...

Join host Eddie Elliott as he talks with Anthony about navigating the educational system as an adoptee. Anthony shares their personal experiences, reflecting on the challenges faced, the support that made a difference, and how their background shaped their time in school. Anthony also discuss practical advice for adoptive parents, educators, and adoptees, offering valuable insights into creating a...

Join host Eddie Elliott as he sits down with Lisa to discuss her journey of adopting a child with a cleft lip and palate. Lisa talks about navigating the adoption process, advocating for support for her child, and the importance of building a safe and encouraging network.    Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott Email u...

Join host Eddie Elliott as he sits down with Lucy, a children's nurse and researcher, to explore her journey of adopting twice with her wife. Lucy shares her valuable insights into the challenges and the existing inequities of healthcare access. Throughout the conversation, Lucy underscores the importance of post-adoption support, advocating for her children's needs, and the significance...

Join host Eddie Elliott as he sits down with Jessie, who shares her journey of adopting siblings with additional needs. Throughout the conversation, Jessie offers invaluable insights into the adoption process, preparation, and emotional aspects. With candid discussion of challenges faced, Jessie emphasises the crucial role of supportive professionals in navigating the adoption journey effectively....

Join host Eddie Elliott as he sits down with Stephen, a dedicated father and experienced educator, to discuss the challenges and triumphs of advocating for children with special educational needs (SEN). From the intricacies of securing an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) to the conversations between mainstream versus special schooling, Stephen shares his wealth of knowledge and personal experienc...

In this episode, Eddie meets Esther who speaks about building resilient families and her journey with adoption.  Esther also shares her work with the SEND Survival Guide and Emotional Freedom Tapping technique.  Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk Join us www.wearefamilyadopti...

In this episode, Eddie meets Andrew who candidly shares his family's experience adopting a child with additional needs. Gain insights into the realities and hurdles faced by families navigating this unique journey. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk Join us www.wearefami...

This talk is part of our Big Give Christmas Challenge fundraising campaign . In exchange for listening, we ask that you make a donation at any level that you can, to our Big Give Christmas Challenge Fundraising Campaign - between midday 28th November to midday 5th November - raising vital funds to continue the work of We Are Family into our next decade. In this episode, Eddie meets We Are Family C...

Eddie meets Audrey Bouazizi, Head of Service for Adopt London South, part of the Adopt London RAA (Regional Adoption Agency) as she shares her experiences as a professional working in adoption and her views on the experiences of Black people within the adoption journey.  Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott Email us he...