The LGBT+ community is being urged to come forward to adopt vulnerable children waiting for their ‘forever’ families.

Buckfastleigh-based adoption charity, Families for Children, is championing a national campaign called #BeTheChange which encourages LGBT+ people to think about the range of vulnerable children they could parent or care for.

Families for Children has been hugely successful in encouraging LGBT+ people to come forward to adopt.

Over the period 2020/2021, 40 per cent of approved adopters were from the LGBT+ community, and currently 29 per cent of those in the charity’s adoption assessment process are LGBT+ couples or individuals.

Chief executive Ruth Marriott said: “We continue to see a rise in the number of LGBT+ individuals making enquiries about adopting with us.

“Being part of the LGBT+ community is not a barrier to being considered as an adopter.

“At Families for Children we have a wealth of experience in assessing LGBT+ adopters and recognise the strengths and skills you bring in meeting the needs of children waiting for families.”

Martin and Rich, who adopted a five-year-old child through Families for Children, said: “After contacting Families for Children and realising this was something we could do and wanted to do was incredible and kick-started the process for us.

“The moment we saw our son, he ran over to us and said our names. It was just amazing and everything we could have wanted.

“It was emotional, but those memories will stay with us forever.

“It was scary - very scary - but incredible.

“I can best describe adoption for us as the best rollercoaster ride you have ever been on, lots of ups and downs, but we have loved every minute of it.’

For more information, contact Families for Children on 01364 645480 or visit www.familiesforchildren.org.uk/lgbtqadoption