Blog

Our recent Adoption Activity Day, Springtime on the Farm, was a truly special occasion, bringing together children and prospective adopters from across Wales in a warm, welcoming and playful environment.

We were delighted to welcome 34 children, aged from just 9 months to 7 years, including five sibling groups, alongside foster carers, social workers, family finders, colleagues from CoramBAAF and National Adoption Service staff. The day also welcomed 13 prospective adopters, including couples and individuals, all hoping to take the next step in their adoption journey.

The venue was transformed into a vibrant springtime farm, filled with colour and activity. Children enjoyed a wide range of experiences including sensory rooms, soft play, a petting zoo, face painting, glitter tattoos, sports games, seed planting, sensory trays and STEM toys. With snack and drink stations available throughout, and entertainment from Lizz Fizz, there was a real sense of fun and energy across the day.

Beyond the activities, what made the day so meaningful were the connections being formed. As Hannah Jones, Adoption Register Manager, reflected:

“Adoption Activity Days have become an established method of matching children who are waiting to be adopted.. These events offer a unique opportunity for prospective adopters to meet children in a fun, relaxed and supportive environment.”

This was echoed by those attending. One prospective adopter shared:

“I was nervous to start with. However, I was put at ease – there was plenty of staff to ask questions and they helped enormously. The event was well run, spread out and there was plenty to do.”

For many, the impact of the day goes far beyond the event itself. One social worker reflected on how these experiences help adopters move forward with confidence:

“For one couple it helped cement their thoughts on a particular child and they are now proceeding with this link. Another couple, who are not yet approved, found it so helpful being amongst different age ranges and talking to foster carers – it’s helped them hone in on the age range they are hoping to adopt.”

This was echoed more widely by professionals supporting adopters:

“I have noted a marked difference for those who have been able to attend an activity day, in comparison to those who haven’t. They have been much more open to exploring links having met the children.”

Attendees were also invited to leave comments about the children they met, contributing to their life story work – an important part of helping children understand their experiences and identity.

The day itself was praised for its thoughtful design and atmosphere:

“It was a very well organised event – the children enjoyed it and it provided a relaxed atmosphere for foster carers and adopters, with plenty of activities to enjoy.”

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make the day possible. Most importantly, we hope the children left with happy memories and the beginnings of connections that could help shape their futures.