The power of storytelling is being highlighted to mark the start of Adoption Week Scotland 2019
Adopted young people are to share their own powerful and personal stories, some of which will never have been told before, during this year’s Adoption Week Scotland (18-23 November).
Around a dozen youngsters will showcase their collection of poetry and short stories to an audience including Scotland’s Deputy First Minister John Swinney, at Edinburgh’s Scottish Poetry Library on 21 November.
The Scottish Poetry Storytelling event, organised by Adoption UK Scotland and AFA Scotland, will also provide the young people with an opportunity to meet Mr Swinney and share with him their experiences of being in care.
Fiona Aitken, director of Adoption UK Scotland, said: “This group of young people sharing their stories and thoughts, in their own words, possibly for the first time, will be the highlight of Adoption Week Scotland.
“Storytelling can be an important therapeutic tool to benefit our children.”
One person who knows only too well about how writing can help care experienced young people is the BMX superstar and Adoption UK ambassador John Buultjens.
Buultjens wrote an account of his amazing yet turbulent life in his book, Ride, which was turned into a film last year.
In a message of support to the young people who will be sharing their poetry and stories, he said: “The main reason I wrote my book was to inspire others. We cannot change the past, so why do we live in it daily?
“By sharing my story and knowing that so many others can relate to it, and maybe see something in it for themselves, is very rewarding.”
Adoption Week Scotland 2019, organised by both Adoption UK Scotland and AFA Scotland, is an opportunity to celebrate and promote the best of adoption with awareness raising, information sessions and social events.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Adoption is a huge decision and we are determined to help make the process as smooth as possible and ensure adoptive parents are supported.
“Adoption Week Scotland can really help in that. Our efforts are about getting it right for every child and making Scotland the best place in the world to grow up in. This week is an important opportunity to highlight the huge difference that adoption can make to the lives of children and young people.”
Robin Duncan, director of AFA Scotland, added: “The fantastic line up of people supporting Adoption Week 2019 gives us a great opportunity to highlight the message that adoption remains a critical part of the solution for some of Scotland’s most vulnerable children.”
Other events during the week include a Parliamentary event on Tuesday (19 November), hosted by Rona Mackay, MSP, which will include a speech from Maree Todd, Minister for Children and Young People, highlighting both new and current adoption practice initiatives in Scotland today.
A full calendar of events can be found online.
