One Adoption West Yorkshire’s ‘A Welcome Home’ campaign, running during National Adoption Week (October 20-26, 2025), is calling on families across West Yorkshire to consider adoption by challenging the myth that a ‘perfect home’ is required. An immersive pop-up kitchen installation, co-created by adoptive families, will travel from London to Leeds Station to showcase that real homes, filled with love and stability, are what truly matter for children seeking a sense of belonging.
What is the main message of One Adoption West Yorkshire’s ‘A Welcome Home’ campaign during National Adoption Week?
The ‘A Welcome Home’ campaign from One Adoption West Yorkshire urges families to consider adoption by dispelling myths that only “perfect” homes qualify. The focus is on providing loving, stable environments – regardless of home size, ownership, or income – so every child can feel safe and truly belong.
Challenging the Myth of the “Perfect Home”
National Adoption Week, running from 20–26 October 2025, marks a significant call to action from One Adoption West Yorkshire, the regional adoption agency serving all local councils across West Yorkshire. The campaign, titled “A Welcome Home,” seeks to dispel persistent myths around adoption – particularly the notion that prospective adoptive families must offer a flawless or stereotypical home environment. Instead, the agency emphasizes that children in need of adoption are truly seeking a place where they are cherished, secure, and feel they belong.
A recent You Can Adopt survey highlights the reality behind these misconceptions. Nationally, nearly 86% of adoptive parents once believed they needed to provide a “perfect home” to qualify for adoption approval. However, of those surveyed, 41% lived in homes with two bedrooms or fewer, 65% had no access to a garden, and a quarter were renting their accommodation at the time of adoption. These statistics underline that the requirement for a loving, stable environment far outweighs material or logistical considerations.
To launch the campaign, an immersive installation named “A Welcome Home” is being unveiled in London before making its way to Leeds Station. Co-created by adoptive families, the pop-up kitchen aims to celebrate the everyday joys and the beautiful chaos of family life. This installation serves as both a literal and symbolic space, demonstrating that adoption is about real families, real homes, and real love – not perfection.
Community Support and Notable Voices
The campaign enjoys high-profile support from well-known advocates and adopters. Among the supporters are Prue Leith, celebrated judge from The Great British Bake Off and an adoptive mother and grandmother; Dilly Carter, professional organizer and star of Sort Your Life Out, who herself was adopted; Sanam Harrinanan, an adoption social worker featured on Love Island; and Oscar-winning author Charlie Mackesy. Their involvement brings visibility and authenticity to the adoption message, bridging the gap between public perception and lived experience.
Prue Leith’s reflections encapsulate the heart of the campaign: “When I adopted my daughter, it was in the kitchen that we bonded most, over meals, mess and everyday life. Now she’s adopted children of her own – so I’m really pleased to have been a part of bringing ‘A Welcome Home’ to life. It’s about showing that – just like any kind of parenting – adoption is messy, joyful, challenging, real, and rewarding beyond measure. Adoption gives a child a place at the table, and that’s where love truly grows.”
A combination of nationwide economic challenges, including the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, has contributed to a 12% drop in new adopter registrations over the past year. This has had a direct impact on vulnerable children, with many waiting over 18 months to be matched with a family. One Adoption West Yorkshire is currently seeking families for over 100 children of all ages, of whom more than 40% are aged two years or under. These figures underscore the pressing need for new adopters within the region.
Real Stories: Family, Everyday Moments, and Belonging
The campaign’s central aim is to illustrate the realities of adoption through authentic voices and lived stories. Michelle Rawlings, Head of One Adoption West Yorkshire, offers reassurance: “We understand that many people worry that now isn’t the ‘perfect time’ to adopt for lots of reasons. But adoption isn’t about having the ideal circumstances or a picture-perfect home; it’s about being ready to open your heart and your home to a child who needs one.” She emphasizes the agency’s commitment to supporting prospective adopters through every step of the process.
The You Can Adopt survey further highlights common concerns prospective parents have faced, ranging from the size of their home (23%) to worries about insufficient income (21%). By sharing real-life adoption accounts, the campaign seeks to challenge these barriers and empower more people to consider adoption. The following stories from Yorkshire families exemplify the diversity and everyday richness found in adoptive homes:
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April, adoptive mother to two children:
“I used to think I had to wait for the perfect time, the perfect house, the perfect setup – but the truth is, love doesn’t wait. Alexander came into my life and filled it with colour, chaos, and more joy than I ever imagined. Whether we’re painting at the dining table or playing in Alexander’s miniature kitchen café, it’s the everyday moments that remind me we’re exactly where we’re meant to be.”
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Amanda, adoptive mother to two children:
“One of the traditions we started when Andraya was younger was baking red velvet cupcakes together, and now it’s become our little ritual – something we return to whenever we need a moment of calm or connection. These days, Isaac loves to join in too, usually stirring with one hand and sneaking icing with the other. It’s more than just cupcakes; it’s our way of checking in, laughing, and remembering how far we’ve come. That simple act, time and again, reminds me that love is built in the everyday moments – and those are the ones that truly matter.”
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Emma & Mike, adoptive parents to two children:
“Adoption wasn’t our Plan B – it was our Plan A+. Every step, challenge, and moment of uncertainty brought us closer to our children – and now, we simply can’t imagine life without them. They’ve taught us more than we ever thought possible. We haven’t perfected parenthood – far from it – but we’re learning, growing, and laughing every day. Our home is certainly louder and messier than before, but it’s also full of life. We don’t feel like an adoptive family. We just feel like a family.”
For further real-life testimonies and inspiring local adoption stories, readers can explore the One Adoption website.
Opportunities to Engage and Learn More
One Adoption West Yorkshire is eager to connect with anyone interested in exploring adoption further. As part of National Adoption Week, the agency will host a pop-up information stall on Albion Street in Leeds city centre, offering a welcoming space for individuals and families to speak with the team, ask questions, and gather information. The event takes place on Wednesday, 22 October, from 10 am to 3 pm.
Throughout the week, the immersive “A Welcome Home” installation will also be available for the public to experience at Leeds Station. This interactive kitchen pop-up, co-created by adoptive families, serves as a focal point for the campaign, inviting visitors to reflect on the theme of belonging while celebrating the shared moments that create the fabric of family life.
Anyone interested in learning more about adoption or wishing to begin their own journey can visit the One Adoption West Yorkshire website or contact their friendly team directly by calling 0113 3783535. The organization emphasizes that adoptive homes come in all shapes and sizes, and that every family has the potential to offer a child a true welcome home.
- One Adoption West Yorkshire’s ‘A Welcome Home’ campaign aims to challenge the myth that a ‘perfect home’ is required for adoption.
- An immersive pop-up kitchen installation, co-created by adoptive families, will travel from London to Leeds Station to demonstrate that real homes offer love and stability.
- A recent survey indicated that 86% of adoptive parents once believed a ‘perfect home’ was necessary, but many adopted successfully despite having smaller homes, no gardens, or renting.
- The campaign is supported by notable figures like Prue Leith and Dilly Carter, who share their personal experiences with adoption.
- Due to economic challenges, new adopter registrations have dropped by 12% nationally, with One Adoption West Yorkshire currently seeking families for over 100 children.