I believe that LGBT Adoption & Fostering week has been going for 7 or 8 years now, and I have always tried to do something unusual for it. This year I may have gone for broke, and what I mean is that I have tried to do too many things to make up for the history around the week.
Yes, I often post a photo, or a link, or something equally as dismal. So this year, having a number of platforms I did some stuff that nearly broke me stress wise, tired me out, and the last thing I did nearly broke my brain! So what are these things I hear you cry... Ok, calm down... here you go:
1) LGBT Podcast
Al kindly agreed to allow me free reign on this one, as I obviously live the life. I had hoped to get 4 people to interview, the L the G the B and the T.... Sadly I could only manage the L and the G, despite my attempts. (Let me know now for next year B and T please!)
I interviewed Ruth, and adoptive lesbian Mum, and Calvin, an adoptive gay Dad. Both interviews shone, in my eyes, new light on what it is like to be an LGBT adoptive parent. We didn't intend to break new ground, however, I wanted to ensure that all bases were covered in terms of us covering what it is like to be a parent rather than "What is it like to go through the process". It did nearly break me to try and organise the interviews, keep them to the required length, and finally, try to find the technical tools to be able to record them. Al may not have been present, but boy did he still need to be hands on for that part!
If you fancy a listen, then check it out here
2) Adoption Support User Group (DfE)
It was another hard slog, but a really productive day. Everyone must think that Al and I are joined at the hip, but when it comes to ensuring we influence the support we need to be adoptive parents, our little group that represents some of the issues faced by adoptive parents across England, we are all committed to doing just that. We have been nicknamed "elitists" - I disagree. I believe that we have a platform and we must use it in a wise way to attempt to influence change.
You can read Al's round up of what happened here
3) Fundraising
This was a biggy.... 2 nights on the bounce at Wembley.... an amazing venue, where each year "Voice in a Million" supports Adoption UK by having us present, allowing us to collect from the lovely folk that attend to watch their children perform, and to raise awareness of adoption in the UK, which we al know is still full of myths of the 1960's or even the 1980's.
We chugged those buckets, we spoke to people, and we had some of our children come along and help us out. It was a tiring few nights, with the first night Tris offering to count the cash.... It was a long few hours.
I was delighted to be joined by our new Adoption UK Ambassador Shona White. Shona, an adoptee, shared the stage with organiser Jo Garafalo to explain the connection to Adoption UK, and of course, to get those present to donate. You still can... text ADUK33£3 to 70070.
I have done it.... you can now enter your blog weekly here - hopeful this will continue weekly, but where else should you go to see everyone's blogs about being LGBT parents than there!
I have spent the weekend attempting to relax, and actually, on reflection, it was a busy but well worthwhile week, on top of the normal week which included time at Head Office, and the usual keeping the kids in check, and Tris being away in Thailand..... Time for me to book some time off away alone on a deserted island with only one bar that serve cocktails!
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