“We actually volunteered to work at the New Family Social Summer Camp event last summer which was on amazing experience” says Antoine.

“Over 500 people attended. It was incredible to be a part of it” adds Andrew.

“It was so rewarding, we learnt so much. We were still waiting for a match at the time so meeting adopters from the community who were settled and established was invaluable” says Antoine.

“Waiting for and starting the Matching Process can be a tricky time to navigate, it was brilliant to be with people all weekend who had been exactly where we were and who could offer advice” adds Andrew.

“The summer camp was so eye opening with the hundreds of families present and the full spectrum of family on display. From meltdowns to lovely, magical moments, it was brilliant to see and really helped us getting ready to adopt, says Antoine. “We met people from LGBTQ+ support networks and made connections, helped with childcare, there were so many different ages of children. It was almost like our own little inclusive universe. Our hearts were just really full by the end of it.”

The experience of the NFS Summer Camp was so powerful for Andrew and Antoine that they actually increased the age range of the children that they would be considered for in matching. Moving forward this led to a successful match being made with the couple and a child who had been waiting longer in Family Finding.

Things that are meant to be and magical firsts

“Everything is settled and amazing now, says Antoine, “It’s now been 10 weeks and the Court Order has officially gone through.

“I never forget when Ruth our social worker rang us to tell us a match had been found! The process was pretty quick in our case and we had quite a smooth transition.”

“We read his CAR/B (the child’s adoption report) and found it very interesting, says Andrew.  “We actually met him the first time at a WBAS Activity Day where adopters get to meet the children currently waiting in a more natural setting.

“It was amazing. He was drawn to us and it was like he chose us. He ran towards us and hugged us! He was playing with a toy kitchen and offered to cook a chicken on for us!

“The foster carer saw us playing together and immediately thought that we could be a right match!”

What followed was a naturally quick (in this case) process of matching in order to secure a permanent family and stable home for a child who had been waiting for a long time for his forever family.

“We had a 3 hour meeting at home with social workers, recruitment and assessment workers from WBAS and the foster carers, explains Antoine. “Ruth wanted to make sure we were all on the same page and comfortable with the information we’d received. We absolutely were and then we heard the social worker for our little one felt the same way and that was it, we weren’t waiting – let’s do this!

“After a week of introductions Placement started in the November last year. Everything went pretty smooth, the transition was comfortable, it felt really natural and then he moved in with us.”

This experience has been backed up by the child’s social worker who said, “It is the best adoption I have ever done in 20 odd years of practice. I have never experienced such a seamless transition.”

“Attachment was there from the beginning, adds Andrew, “he’s really settled in now, still 100 mph but there are little moments of calm. Our first Christmas was a magical experience. He was very excited of course, we had 12 days of asking for Santa.

“Training really helped with Christmas, he has of course been spoilt rotten, but we followed guidance, not giving everything at once to avoid overwhelm, allowing plenty of space.”

“We recently been to WBAS Playgroup says Andrew, “that was a lovely experience as all the parents in the group have been through the same thing. It offers a lot of community and support.”