The charity hosted an event to mark the occasion and commemorate the first anniversary of the amicable merger between PAC-UK and After Adoption Yorkshire (AAY).
October 2015 – Independent adoption support charity PAC-UK held an exclusive event at the Leeds Civic Hall in October to announce the launch of its services in the region, and celebrate the first anniversary of its merger with After Adoption Yorkshire (AAY).
The event – sponsored by Burtons Safes –provided guests with an opportunity to learn more about PAC-UK’s education, children and adult support services. The charity helps parents, carers, guardians and professionals better understand and care for looked after, adopted or otherwise permanently placed children.
While at the event, PAC-UK also introduced its First Family service which is designed to help birth parents and relatives come to terms with the consequences of a child no longer being with them or the possibility of it happening in the future.
Paula Newson-Smith, Chair of the Board of Trustees at PAC-UK said: “Recent changes to the Adoption Support Fund means that there’s an increasing demand for post-adoption services. The event provided a perfect platform for PAC-UK to share its vision for expansion in the North as they continue to offer guidance and support to anyone dealing with the consequences of adoption.”
Councillor Judith Chapman, Lord Mayor of Leeds, attended the event to find out more about PAC-UK and how its services benefit the local community; she praised the charity for its work in adoption and fostering support. She said: “It is always hard for me to think about children who are not raised by their biological families but it’s reassuring to know that organisations such as PAC-UK are working tirelessly. I thank them for all the wonderful work they do.”
Professor Beth Neil, Director of Research at the University of Anglia, gave a presentation during the event to discuss the benefits of supporting children, adoptive parents and birth relatives after adoption.
She said: “Adoption can be, and often is, a fantastic experience for children, adoptive parents and - when handled well - birth relatives. PAC-UK has been at the forefront of recognising the challenges of adoption, as well as the benefits, and pioneering support for everyone after adoption. I was honoured to be invited to present at the event.”
Peter Sandiford, CEO of PAC-UK added: “This event was a good opportunity for us to meet with counsellors, staff and head of child and adult services to discuss the future plans for the charity. Over the last twelve months we have introduced a substantial programme of training courses in the region for adopters, permanent carers and professionals, with plans to introduce more services in the future.”
For more information on PAC-UK services please visit www.pac-uk.org or email advice@pac-uk.org.
Peter Sandiford, CEO of PAC-UK and Judith Chapman, Lord Mayor of Leeds
About PAC-UK
PAC-UK was formed on 1 October 2014 as a result of an amicable merger between PAC and After Adoption Yorkshire (AAY), to become the largest independent adoption support agency in the country.
PAC-UK improves the lives of families and individuals affected by adoption and other forms of permanence by providing access to a range of individually tailored services and appropriate support depending on need. They bring together a multi-disciplinary team of more than 70 staff and volunteers with an extensive range of skills and expertise in working therapeutically with children, adoptive families, other permanent carers, adopted adults and birth parents.
Media Contact
Jenni Livesley
01625 511966
pac-uk@contextpr.co.uk
