CONNECT

We think we might need to read these too! Elections and manifestos can be so confusing! Thank you NYAS!

UK General Election: Political Party Manifestos for Children and Young People Ahead of the 2024 UK General Election, NYAS has created a clear, unbiased breakdown of what each political party's manifesto says about care-experienced children and young people. We're not here to sway your opinion; we’re simply sharing the facts so you can view what each political party has comm...

May round up!

In Connected - Adoption UK Cymru - CYPS we've been:
- Kayaking, climbing and making pizzas with Gwasanaeth Mabwysiadu Gogledd Cymru - North Wales Adoption Service
- Building bridges and playing games with Vale, Valleys & Cardiff Adoption
- Learning about boundaries and making silly pizza with South East Wales Adoption Service
AND
- Visiting The National Botanic Garden of Wales with Gwasanaeth Mabwysiadu Bae'r Gorllewin/Western Bay Adoption Service Mabwysiadu Canolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru / Adoption Mid & West Wales and Adoption UK - Cymru

In CONNECT Voices we have been continuing to get to know each other and we've met Suzanne, Carolyn and Jane (the Director and 2 Co-chairs of the National Adoption Service Governance board). We had very good meaningful conversations and it was the start of a beautiful working relationship 🥰

There has been 2 new blog posts on our website too! Check them out now! https://www.connectcymru.com/voices/blog/

Exam season is upon us and we know that lots of you are worrying. Here are some useful tips to help get you through. Good luck everyone, you'll smash 'em!

Power Up - Hwb Where you can get hints, tips and information to get you through the exam and assessment season and onto the next level in your life

Help support the adoptive community by hosting your own brew-tiful event. Gather your friends, family, or colleagues for a catch-up over a cuppa (or any brew you like!) and raise funds for a fantastic cause. Visit our website for more details and to download your event guide https://ow.ly/2ALl50RAbeK️ ☕️

We're excited to reveal that Adoption UK Scotland's Project has been nominated in two categories for this year's National Diversity Awards!

Vote for the here: https://ow.ly/GgYK50ReQjw

And for Carol, our team leader, here: https://ow.ly/XHEz50ReQjv

March round up!

Connected - Adoption UK Cymru - CYPS was busy with Cŵn Cymorth Cariad / Cariad Pet Therapy in south Wales along with CIRCUS ERUPTION and having a go at Switch games. While in north Wales March was musical with Ben Mclellan and Mr Phormula

Connected and Vale, Valleys & Cardiff Adoption welcomed Voices From Care Cymru and Cŵn Cymorth Cariad / Cariad Pet Therapy to CONNECT's first pilot Well-being day!

CONNECT Voices are still meeting weekly and have helped with recruitment for Adoption UK - Cymru and with 3 members trained to be interview panellists and 5 trained to help select candidates for interview!

One member has also wrote a blog post aimed at new adopters with more blog posts in the pipeline! https://www.adoptcymru.com/home.php?page_id=60&post_id=17&action=comment

Check out the latest blog post from James! He explores the theme of adoption through is much loved BBC's Dr Who!

James has worked very hard on this post and it was also published in the latest issue of Adoption UK 's Adoption Today magazine! Well done James!

Thank you

https://www.connectcymru.com/blog/adoption-and-doctor-who/

February round up!

Connected - Adoption UK Cymru - CYPS has been busy all around Wales from the Over 18s taking on Ninja Warrior UK Swansea to visiting Anglesey Sea Zoo to beat boxing, music making, craftiness and cooking with and without an oven! Check out the pictures!

CONNECT Voices and Ambassadors
CONNECT Voices have been meeting weekly and have been doing lots of getting to know you games and activities - including making pancakes!

James has been working with National Adoption Service to share his thoughts about some common myths and misconceptions about adoption check out his blog post on https://www.adoptcymru.com/home.php?page_id=60&post_id=17&action=comment

Today is Safer Internet Day so we thought we'd share some great tips to stay safe online from some other youth organisations!

Wrapping up our posts for Internet Safety Day are some of our Online Red Flags to be mindful of when interacting with people online

Today is Safer Internet Day so we thought we'd share some great tips to stay safe online from some other youth organisations!

Continuing the Internet Safety Day posts, here is some information about Catfishing

Today is Safer Internet Day so we thought we'd share some great tips to stay safe online from some other youth organisations!

Next on our Internet Safety Day posts is a bit of information on what to be mindful about with Cyberbullying

Today is Safer Internet Day so we thought we'd share some great tips to stay safe online from some other youth organisations!

Today is Internet Safety Day! We'll be posting throughout the day with some of our tips and tricks to be mindful of when using the internet to help stay safe, starting of with some general tips on how to stay safe online

Today is Safer Internet Day so we thought we'd share some great tips to stay safe online from some other youth organisations!

We love to hear what young people think of our services! How would you answer these questions?

Evening all! Please see our latest flyer for our Schools Awareness Sessions this year. It would be marvellous if you could share this with your school!

Noswaith dda, bawb! Gweler ein taflen ddiweddaraf ar gyfer ein Sesiynau Ymwybyddiaeth i Ysgolion eleni. Byddai'n wych pe gallech rannu hon â'ch ysgol!

January round up!

Connected - Adoption UK Cymru - CYPS
Keeping in Touch session have started with Gwasanaeth Mabwysiadu Gogledd Cymru - North Wales Adoption Service this month they have been bowling and climbing!

Francesca Morris with South East Wales Adoption Service and Vale, Valleys & Cardiff Adoption have been getting crafty exploring new years traditions from around the world, making tasty treats and planning the year ahead!

Hannah has joined Adoption UK - Cymru in the Connected team working with Gwasanaeth Mabwysiadu Bae'r Gorllewin/Western Bay Adoption Service and Mabwysiadu Canolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru / Adoption Mid & West Wales. This month they have been No cook cooking and cook cooking! Check out the pictures!

📣 CONNECT Voices & ambassadors

James has been working with the National Adoption Service to answer questions about adoption using his own experience. If you've got a question you would like to ask submit it to them now! Then keep an eye on their socials for the responses!

CONNECT Voices is relaunching tonight in a new format starting with lots of getting to know you things. So whether its your first time or your 30th time, whether you can make every meeting or not. Know that if you are living in Wales, adopted and aged 14-25 you are always welcome 🥰

Having your voice heard is very important. Every year Adoption UK runs a survey that different decision makers including Welsh Government and UK Parliament
If you are over 18 or are an adopter have your say by completing the Adoption UK Barometer now!

anuary can be a difficult time of year especially when it comes to finances, this is why on 31.1.2024 at 1.30 pm we will be conducting an interactive money session that will cover practical and relevant everyday financial matters. The session will be led by our Getting Ready/CIW officer Sheree Kerton-Jones and will take place at our VFCC office, the session should end by 3:30 pm. This session will aim to get you to think and care about finances, both now and in your short and long-term futures. The session focus will be on shopping deals, comparing the costs and benefits of a range of goods and services, learning budgeting skills, differentiating needs from wants, and making decisions based on financial circumstances. So why not come along, grab a warm cuppa and make a difference to your knowledge and finances this year :). To attend, please email Sheree at: [email protected]

Have you had your say yet?

The survey takes ten minutes to complete and is open to adopted people of 18 and over, adoptive parents and prospective adopters.

Help us make this the biggest Adoption Barometer survey ever! Have your say and add your voice.

The survey takes ten minutes to complete and is open to adopted people of 18 and over, adoptive parents and prospective adopters.

https://www.adoptionuk.org/the-adoption-barometer

It has been quite a while since CONNECT Voices met last October but we are delighted to tell you CONNECT Voices is back and back in style. We will be meeting weekly via Zoom.

This is a fresh start so it doesn’t matter whether this is your first time, your 30th time or anywhere in the middle, come along if you are interested.

We will be spending lots of time getting to know each other, our strengths and what roles we want to play.

We really value your voice and what you have to say and hope you want to get back involved or start your involvement with CONNECT Voices.

If you are aged 14-25 and adopted and would like to have your voice heard and you're not currently registered (you would of received an email this Tuesday if you are), please visit our website to fill in a form and our Lead Youth Worker Francesca Morris will be in touch! https://www.connectcymru.com/voices/youth-council/

Vale, Valleys & Cardiff Adoption National Adoption Service Adoption UK - Cymru South East Wales Adoption Service Gwasanaeth Mabwysiadu Gogledd Cymru - North Wales Adoption Service Gwasanaeth Mabwysiadu Bae'r Gorllewin/Western Bay Adoption Service Mabwysiadu Canolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru / Adoption Mid & West Wales

We have two vacancies in our Connected project in north Wales. To find out more and to apply, visit our website https://www.adoptionuk.org/jobs-page