Barbara, a mum of three siblings, shares her insights into why attending Adoption UK Scotland’s key community event can be so valuable to adoptive families. 

My husband and I have been members of Adoption UK Scotland since we were approved as adopters over 10 years ago. We have found the information and support they provide to be invaluable. In July 2016, our sibling group of three was placed with us and we have enjoyed attending a number of social events and courses over the years.

Adoption UK Scotland organises a range of activities for children and parents. The ones that have suited us best were meet-ups in parks, Lego and craft afternoons and sports and bouncy castles in a sports centre. It has been lovely getting to know the AUK staff who lead these events and they have become familiar faces to my family. 

Our favourite events of all, however, are the ones that take place at Wiston Lodge, which is a beautiful development centre set in gorgeous scenery near Biggar. We have been fortunate enough to visit quite a few times, and we are always impressed by the care, patience and understanding of all of the staff on site. They complement the AUK staff really well.

With having three children, it can be difficult to find activities they can all engage in, but at Wiston Lodge, there is freedom, safety and no pressure - for the parents or the children! The last time we were all there as a family of five, my youngest daughter stayed indoors enjoying the comfort of the big house, the older two joined in with the outdoor activities and my husband and I dipped into the activities organised for the parents. There really was something for everyone.

The programme of activities on offer to the children has varied over the years, but has included canoeing and raft building on the large pond where they can build confidence and teamwork skills, archery, bushcraft, where they can light a fire and toast marshmallows, and climbing, where they encourage each other to reach new heights. There are always indoor activities such as Lego, craft and colouring on offer too.

While the children are busy, parents are free to relax, chat and engage in their programme, safe in the knowledge that if our children need us the staff will radio. The adult programme could include a couple of activities from the following: a workshop led by experts on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder; a Q&A session with an MSP on The Promise; a massage; a sound bath; make your own ‘coping strategies toolkit’; and a foraging walk to enjoy nature’s produce from around the centre. 

For our most recent visit to Wiston Lodge in March 2026, it was just me and my 15-year-old daughter who went on a day exclusively for teens and young adults. It was a great success and a lot quieter with fewer small people! My daughter took part in gorge walking, archery and making a marble run. I enjoyed a massage and pewter casting. We both had a lovely day and left feeling refreshed and well fed.  

One thing that is always evident when I attend any Adoption UK Scotland event is the immediate sense of acceptance, which lifts a heavy layer of stress from everyone’s shoulders. For the children, just knowing that they are not alone in their experiences and the people they are meeting with have similar stories to themselves - even if they don’t feel the need to chat about it, they just ‘know’ - releases a lot of pressure.

And for us parents, well, just knowing we don’t have to worry about our children’s behaviour or feel the need to explain it away is liberating. I find there’s very little small talk, as within 10 minutes you've got a cuppa and you’re baring your soul to someone you’ve just met - because you know they ‘get it’.

If you get the chance to attend an event with other adopters - go for it! It is good to know you are not alone, but more than that, there is a wealth of support and advice out there and you might even make new friends to accompany you on your journey.

By Barbara McMeekin