Oxfordshire’s Adopt Archie campaign needs ‘forever families’
A new campaign is being launched with the aim of dispelling myths around who is eligible to adopt a child while encouraging more residents to consider adopting.
The campaign – run by Oxfordshire County Council and its partner, Adopt Thames Valley – is themed around Archie, a lively two year old who needs a loving home somewhere in the county (watch our short video of Archie here).
Archie is described as “a delightful, kind little boy with a curiosity for the world around him. He has an infectious giggle and playful spirit and is looking for his forever family.”
Councillor John Howson, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Young People’s Services, said: “You don’t need specialised skills to adopt Archie or to give any other child a caring home. You just need the ability to recognise their potential and provide them with the love and support they need to learn and grow.”
Archie enjoys racing toy cars, constructing impressive towers and having fun splashing about in water.
He has a special fondness for messy play, anything involving sand, paint and mud brings out the biggest smiles. Archie is also captivated by sensory toys that make different sounds.
When it comes to food, his favourites include baked beans, ham sandwiches, hula hoops, jacket potatoes, pasta, and of course, cake.
Having lived with the same foster carer since he was a baby, Archie shares a warm relationship with them. He flourishes in the company of other children and loves animals.
Councillor Howson, added: “Archie is a wonderful little boy, searching for a loving family who can truly appreciate him for who he is, looking beyond his additional needs. While his health and developmental needs means he reaches milestones slower than his peers, he is making great progress.
“He needs a family that can help him attend essential appointments, such as speech, language and physiotherapy. But most of all, he needs love, support and time. Could you be Archie’s forever family?”
Oxfordshire County Council welcomes enquiries from both single adopters and couples. Some of the biggest misconceptions around eligibility to become adopters are that single people, older people and those who are LGBTQ+ are not allowed to adopt. This is not the case.
The council would like to hear from potential adoptive parents who have Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic heritage as children from these backgrounds traditionally wait longer to be matched with an adoptive family.
Having experience of caring for children, whether in your professional or personal life is a bonus when coming forward to adopt.
If you believe Archie, or another child, could become part of your family, please call 0800 731 0171 for an initial, no-obligation conversation. Details are also available on the Adopt Archie webpage.
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