Frequently Asked Questions

  • Our Adoption Project is led by a core team which has a majority of adoptees as members.

    We value lived experience in deciding the overall tone and direction of the project.

    However, not all of our team members are adoptees.

  • Please share details of the project and the Open Call with friends and in your professional networks, that would be a massive help.

    Please also keep a look out for details regarding the workshops and conversation opportunities.

    If you wish to discuss partnership opportunities, are interested in delivering a workshop or volunteering then send us an email.

    If you would like to support us to continue our work then please get in touch or support our Crowdfunder.

  • Our Adoption project brings together anyone who has been affected by adoption.

    Our core team is composed of 3 adult adoptees, our project lead is an adoptee and has also worked in social care.

    We also acknowledge there is not one adoption story. We are interested in the web of influence adoption has on adoptees, families and professionals.

    We acknowledge that the narrative surrounding adoption has long focussed on institutions and care providers.

    We are continuously inspired by the work of adoptee and first family advocacy groups and invite social care professionals to listen, learn and respectfully contribute to the conversation.

    We do not want to shy away from challenging conversations around historical and current adoption practices as this is where progress can be made and we enthusiastically welcome this dialogue. 


  • Yes.

  • A key part of the exhibition is our Conversations series.

    We will be creating a combination of shared spaces and also dedicated spaces for adoptees only and first families only to engage in peer-led, open conversations about the exhibition.

    We shall share more information about these workshops in October. 

  • No. You do not have to disclose your personal connection to adoption.

    Our Adoption Project has designed workshops intended to foster an interactive dialogue between practitioners and participants.

    These sessions shall serve as a vehicle to explore and critique concepts of adoption.

    Our Adoption Project aims to strictly provide a pressure-free environment.

    Instead, we intend to offer a collaborative space that empowers participants to critically analyse adoption’s representations, beliefs, and lived experiences.

Safeguarding Statement

The project aims to create opportunities for learning, understanding and dialogue about adoption and its lifelong impact on individuals, families and communities.

The organisers recognise that adoption can be associated with identity, belonging, family separation, trauma, loss, grief, attachment and experiences of social care intervention. As a result, discussions, artwork and workshops may evoke strong emotions for contributors and visitors.

Our Adoption Project is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment for everyone involved.

We believe that:

  • Everyone has the right to feel safe.

  • Lived experience should be valued and respected.

  • Individuals should be able to share their experiences without fear of judgement, discrimination or harassment.

  • People should be treated with dignity, compassion and respect.

  • Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.

The exhibition recognises that many participants may have experienced:

  • Family separation

  • Childhood trauma

  • Adoption-related loss

  • Stigma and discrimination

  • Experiences of child protection intervention

  • Complex family relationships

  • Mental health difficulties

We will therefore:

  • Prioritise emotional safety.

  • Respect individual experiences and perspectives.

  • Give participants choice and control over their involvement.

  • Avoid judgemental or blaming language.

  • Provide opportunities for support and reflection.

  • Respect personal boundaries.