Calling All Foster & Adoptive Families

The Susan Vickers Foundation is excited to announce a special event aimed at fostering connections among adoptive and foster families. 

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, 31st August 2024
• Time: 10 AM - 12 PM
• Location: The Change Makers Hub, Wolverhampton, UK

This gathering, titled "Calling All Foster & Adoptive Families," promises a welcoming atmosphere where families can engage in therapeutic play activities designed for children under 12. The event will feature a soft play area, allowing children to express their creativity while parents can relax and converse with counsellors for advice and support. The Importance of Therapeutic PlayTherapeutic play is a crucial tool for supporting children's emotional and psychological well-being. 

Here’s why it’s so important:

• Emotional Expression and Processing: Therapeutic play provides a safe environment for children to express and process complex emotions, allowing them to communicate feelings they may struggle to verbalise. This is especially valuable for children who have experienced trauma or neglect.
• Skill Development: Through play, children develop essential skills such as social interaction, self-awareness, emotional regulation, coping mechanisms, and problem-solving abilities.
• Safe Exploration of Experiences: Play allows children to explore and make sense of challenging experiences in a controlled environment, helping them process events at their own pace.
• Building Trust and Relationships: The play environment fosters trust between the child and therapist, creating a strong therapeutic relationship, which is crucial for children who may be distrustful of adults.
• Reducing Anxiety and Stress: Play can be soothing and serve as a temporary distraction from troubling thoughts, helping to relieve stress and anxiety.
• Supporting Children with Special Needs: Therapeutic play can be particularly beneficial for children with developmental differences, providing emotional support and alternative ways to communicate.

Susan Vickers, a renowned broadcaster and community advocate, emphasises the importance of such gatherings, stating, "As someone who has navigated the adoption journey myself, I understand the unique challenges and joys these families face." She adds that the event is not just about play; it’s a chance for families to connect in a judgement-free zone, share experiences, and build lasting friendships.Feedback from previous events has been overwhelmingly positive, with attendees describing the experience as "above and beyond" and likening it to "a warm hug." 

This initiative is part of the foundation's broader mission to support care-experienced individuals through various empowerment programs.Families are encouraged to attend this free event without the need for prior booking, making it accessible for all who wish to engage in this supportive community gathering. 

For more information about the Susan Vickers Foundation and its initiatives, visit susanvickers.com.