Adopting is the best thing we have ever done

When they first got together as a couple they knew they wanted children to make their new relationship complete.

Both had children from previous marriages but they had grown up and flown the nest years before. In their thirties they thought about adopting - but were told they were too old. But thanks to a Daily Echo article highlighting the need for prospective adopters, Angie and John applied again and now they are mum and dad to three young children.

"We thought we were too old to adopt because we were in our forties by this time but we read the piece in the Daily Echo about a woman who was our age who had adopted.

"They must have changed the rules because when we thought about this in our 30s we were told we were too old.

"It was a second marriage for us and we wanted to have a family around us so we applied and social services came to see us before Christmas to check us out.

"We went on the training course in March and in September we met the children for the first time. We were very lucky and if it hadn't have been for the Daily Echo it might never have happened," said Angie from Fareham.

Meeting the children for the first time was an occasion that Angie will never forget.

"I don't think I have ever been so nervous about anything in my life. It was that feeling of butterflies that you get when you are going out with a boyfriend for the first time - but it was worse.

"We were terrified, wondering whether they would like us and we would like them.

"But when we saw their little faces through the window as we walked up the path - it was absolutely magical," she said.

The children, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, settled in quite quickly and that first Christmas together was emotional and memorable.

"They had never had a Christmas like it and couldn't believe the number of presents they had been given.

"We had got the same for them as we did for our children but I can remember my middle daughter in particular needing reassurance that all the gifts were for her - and she was allowed to open them.

"It will always be a special Christmas for us to remember," she said.

Other milestones have included the first day at school for the youngest and the eldest two developing and becoming independent of each other.

"There have been so many magical moments. We took them to Disneyland and it was worth it just to see their faces when they spotted the different characters," she said.

Angie has some great advice for anyone considering adoption, go for it.

"It is the best thing we have ever done - and we can only say thank you to the newspaper for highlighting the need for adoptive parents.

"Don't be afraid to do it and don't be put off. If you have the time and space in your heart to take on a sibling group, the joy you receive will more than repay you," she said.

Southampton City Council has its own dedicated adoption team for whom National Adoption Week is a year round event.

Sadly there are always some children for whom living with their family is no longer possible. Adoptive families can provide the secure, loving environment that these children would otherwise miss out on.

For children of all ages, and ethnic backgrounds, often accompanied by a brother or sister, and sometimes with specific emotional or physical needs. People wishing to adopt can be single, same sex couples, married, or in a partnership, home owners or tenants.

Locally and nationally there are a shortage of adopters for sibling groups and children with special needs.

Becoming an adoptive parent is a long term commitment, and the adoption team are committed to supporting prospective adopters every step of the way, providing information, advice, training, and post-adoption support.

For more information contact the adoption team at Southampton City Council on 023 8044 6450.