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Each day can herald something new.
Welcometooursecondquarterly newsletter!Itwaslovelyseeingsomany familiesatourChristmaseventin NovemberandIhopeyouallhadagood Christmasandapositivestartto2024.I knowforsomechildren,Christmasand alltheexcitementbuildinguptotheday itselfcanbeoverwhelmingorindeedcan triggermemories Ifyouhave experiencedatoughstartto2024 with yourchildrenandyouandtheyare struggling,pleasedon’thesitatetoreach outtousforsupportandguidance.
Thethemeforthisnewsletteris adventureasthisisawordusedbymany familiestodescribehowtheyfeeleither atthestartoftheirjourneytobecome parentsoriftheyadoptedchildren severalyearsago.Eachdaycanherald somethingnew,unexpected,challenging orjustatinymagicalmomentwithyour childinthemidstoftheupsanddowns ofeverydaylife.
AsIembarkonmyownpersonal adventureintothenextstageofmylife withmyretirementplansnowinfull swing,Ihavebeenreflectingbackonthe manyconversationsIhavehadwithyou overtheyears.Meetingyouandyour childrenatourvarioussummer/winter andsupportactivitieshasbeenoneofthe overridingprivilegesofthisjob.
Yourhonesty,humanityandsheerjoyinyourchildren–even throughthetoughestoftimeswillbememoriesIwilltake forwardwithmewellintothefuture.Mysuccessorhasnowbeen appointedandamdelightedthatthisisourpresentDeputy DirectorJasonBakerwhomanyofyouwillhavemetatour variousactivities.Jasonhasawealthofexperienceinoursector andispassionateaboutensuringchildrenhavetheopportunityto thriveandgrowinnurturinglifelongfamilies.
OneofthedevelopmentsJasonhasbeenworkingonoverthe pastyearhasbeentodiversifyourservicesforchildrenintothe provisionoffosterplacementsforchildrenaged0-12.Asyou willbeawaremanychildrencomeintocareeachyearandneeda stablelovingenvironmentinwhichtothrivewhilstlongerterm plansarebeingdecidedforthem.
Withourmanyyears’experienceinprovidingAdoptionServices, wethinkwearewellplacedtoprovidecareforchildrenunableto livewithbirthfamilymembers.TheServiceisgoingtobe launchedonJanuary22ndsoifyouknowanyonewhomaybe interestedintalkingtousaboutfosteringpleaseaskthemto contactusatinfo@stdavidscs.org.Iwillendbysayingthat Adoptionislifeaffirmingandlifechangingforchildrenandfor youastheirparents,sothankyouforlettingmeintoyourworld andbeingasmallpartofyourownpersonaladventure
Iwouldliketowisheachandeveryoneofyouthebestof everythingintheyearstocomeandrememberifyouneeduswe arejustaphonecallaway.
Wendy R Keidan WENDY KEIDAN, CEOHailingfromtheValeofClwydinNorthWales,Arfon Joneshashadadistinguishedcareerandhasdevoted hislifetomakingapositiveimpact.Agraduateinboth MusicandTheologyfromBangorUniversity,Arfon's journeyledhimtoCardiffover40yearsago,wherehe committedhimselftoworkingwiththosestruggling withalcoholanddrugaddition.
Hisextensivecareerspansyouthwork,Christian charities,andnotableliterarycontributions,including thetranslationoftheBibleintomodernWelshat beibl.net.Beyondhisprofessionalachievements,Arfon andhiswifeRachelembracedparenthoodbyadopting twochildrenthroughStDavids.Hestateslikeany parenting,adoptionisaprivilegeandjoyaswellasat timeschallenging.
Asatrusteefor11years,Arfonhasplayedapivotal roleinshapingthemissionandvaluesofStDavids withchildrenalwaysasthecentreofitsservice delivery.Despitehisofficialretirement,Arfonremains activelyengagedinchurchlifeandvariouscharities, reflectinganunwaveringcommitmenttocommunity welfare.
Arfon'spassionforStDavidsandhisbroader contributionshighlightalifetimededicatedtopositive changeandincelebratinghimasoneofourvalued Trusteeswerecognisetheenduringimpactone individualcanhaveonthelivesofmany.
“Apivotalroleinshaping themissionandvaluesof StDavids”
Aspartofouronline‘InConversationSeries’,(available here)WefollowtheheartfeltjourneyofHannahandDan,a couplewhoselivestookanextraordinaryturnwiththe decisiontoadoptsiblings.Theiradventureintoparenthood unfoldsasatapestrywovenwithlove,resilience,and cherishedmemories.
Thecouplereflectsontheprofoundimpactofadoptinga brotherandsister,highlightingtheremarkable transformationitbroughttotheirdailylives."It'samazing howthesimplestthingscandrawusclosertogether,"shares Hannah."Adoptingabrotherandsisterhastruly transformedourlives,makingeachdayfeellikeanew adventure."Onepivotalmomentstandsoutintheir memory,ascenefromtheanimatedseriesBluey.Asthe childrenpointedatthescreen,exclaiming,"They'reafamily; weareafamily,"therealizationoftheirunbreakablebond struckHannahandDan Thesesmallyetpowerful moments,likesharedthemetunesandspontaneousfamily dances,havebecomethecornerstonesoftheirunique familyidentity Thecouplewarmlyreminiscesabouttheday theyofficiallybecameafamily,emphasisingthatbeinga familyisaboutlove,laughter,andcreatinglastingmemories together."Beingafamilyisaboutlove,laughter,andcreating memoriestogether,"stressesHannah.
Innavigatingthecomplexitiesofadoption,HannahandDan foundareliablepillarofsupportinSt.Davids.Theyexpress deepappreciationfortheenduringrelationshipwiththe organisation,underliningitsadaptabilitytotheirevolving needs.Initiallyinconstantcommunication,seekingadvice andanswers,theirrelianceonSt.Davidshasdiminished overtime.However,thereassuringknowledgethatsupport isonlyacallawayremainssteadfast.Theirstoryunveilsnot onlythejoysandchallengesofadoptingsiblingsbutalsothe strengthderivedfromunwaveringsupportsystems.
Youcanwatchtheseriessofaronour Instagram,Facebook&YouTubeastheir heartwarmingjourneyunfolds,revealing theresilienceandjoythatcomeswith creatingafamilythroughadoption.
StDavid’sisanadoptioncharitywithchildrenattheheart ofallwedo.Everyadoptionstartswithachild,andeach child’sstoryisunique.
THE CARDIFF HALF ULTRA MARATHON
Couldyournextadventurebewaitingforyou…Areyouakeenrunner?Maybe youranalotinthepastandarelookingforareasontotakeitupagain?or maybeyou’veneverrunbeforebutlovetheideaoftakingonanewchallengein 2024?Thenwecouldhavetheperfectanswer.
Aftertheincredibleeffortsfromtwoparentswhoranandraisedfundsforuslast yearwearelookingforpeoplewillingtoruntheCardiffHalfMarathonagain thisyear.Wehave5charityplacesavailableandwouldlovethesetobeusedby ourStDavid’sparents,ortheirfamilyandfriends,whowouldlikehelpraise moneytosupportus.
TheCardiffHalfMarathontakesplaceonSunday6thOctober2024,andwewill behereinthebuilduptothebigdaytohelpwithanyfundraisingefforts We willalsobethereonthedaytocheeryouonandgiveyouaccesstotheSt David’sofficeforparkingandrefreshments Takingonthischallengeisa fantasticwaytosupportStDavid’sandwewouldlovetohearfromyouifyou wouldbewillingtorunforus,justemailfundraisingsupport@stdavidscs.organd wewillbeintouch.
OurveryownDaniscelebratinghis 10thyearatStDavid'sandispreparing fortheValeUltraMarathon –a demanding32-mile(50km)runfrom PenarthtoOgmorealongtheWales CoastalPathonApril6th.
Heiscommittedtoraisingfundsand awarenessforStDavid'sandrequires yoursupport!Yourcontribution directlyimpactsStDavid'smeaningful work
TohelpDanachievehisgoal,please considermakingadonationbyclicking HERE.
Everyadoptionstartswithachild,andeach child’sstoryisunique.
ADOPTING TOGETHER SENSORY REGULATION WORKSHOP
AspartofourAdoptingTogetherServicewearerunninga workshoponFebruary29,2024from10:00amto12:00pm, facilitatedbyapsychologistfromTheFamilyPlace.
Conductedviazoom,thefacilitatorwillguideparticipants throughaninteractiveexplorationofsensoryprocessingand trauma-informedsupport.Gaininsightsintotheimpactof earlytraumaonphysiologicalandemotionaldevelopment,and leaveequippedwithpracticalstrategiestosupportchildren facingsensoryprocessingdifficulties.
Thistransformativesessionpromisesactionabletoolsfor immediateimplementationinvarioussettings Tojoinplease emailadoptingtogether@stdavidscsorgorspeaktooneofour socialworkers 02920667007
AtStDavid's,westandalongsidefamiliesintheirdistinct adoptionjourneys,acknowledgingtheimpactofearly traumaoneachchild'snarrative.Oursteadfastsupport includesregularsupportgroups,festivegatherings, training,andpersonalised1:1socialworkerassistance.We guidefamiliesinaccessingessentialservicesandoffera specialised"AdoptingTogether"servicewithclinical psychologistconsultations.
Ouradopter-ledFacebookpagefosterspeersupport,and ourcommitmentextendsbeyondadoptionorders, welcominglifelongcontact.Whetherseekingadviceor therapeuticinterventions,weprovidecomprehensive supportateverystageoftheparentingadventure.
Formoreinformationpleasecontactusat info@stdavidscs.org SUPPORT
St.David'sproudlypresentsourLGBTQ+Guideto Adoption,designedtoempowerandassistindividualswithin theLGBTQ+communityontheiradoptionjourney.
AtSt.David's,weunderstandtheuniqueconsiderationsand challengesfacedbyLGBTQ+individualsseekingtobuild familiesthroughadoption.Ourguideaddresseslegalaspects, culturalnuances,andprovidesinformationonsupport groupstailoredtotheLGBTQ+community.
Wearecommittedtofosteringaninclusiveenvironment, ensuringthatallprospectiveparentsfeelsupported, informed,andempoweredthroughouttheiradoption experience St David'sLGBTQ+GuidetoAdoptionreflects ourdedicationtocelebratingdiversityandcreatinga welcomingspaceforeveryoneintheirpursuitofparenthood
FindtheguideHERE
MARCH WITH PRIDE
Comejoinusforanexuberantandinclusivecelebrationat thisyear'sPrideCymru,whereweareexcitedtobeing joiningtheparade!Embracethevibrantatmosphereaswe traversetheheartofCardiff,adornedincoloursthat representtherichtapestryofdiversity.
Thiseventisnotjustacelebrationbutapowerfulstatement ofunityandacceptance.WhetheryouidentifyasLGBTQ+ oranally,marchwithustochampionlove,equality,and therighttobeone'sauthenticself.
Wanttojoin?Emailshaun.houcke@stdavidscs.org.
BidafondfarewelltoWendyKeidan,ourvisionaryCEO,whose leadershipshapedSt.David'ssuccessandleavesanenduringlegacy.
DearSt.David'sFamily,
Aswebidfarewelltoaremarkablechapterinourservices history,itiswithmixedemotionsthatwenotetheretirement ofouresteemedChiefExecutiveOfficer,WendyKeidan. Wendy'sjourneywithSt.David'shasbeennothingshortof extraordinary,andherimpactonourcommunityis immeasurable.
Wendyjoinedourfamilyin2015astheOperational Manager,quicklyascendingtotheroleofDeputyDirector. Herleadershipqualitiesandunwaveringcommitmenttoour missiondidnotgounnoticed,andin2018,sheassumedthe roleofChiefExecutiveOfficerwithgraceandvision Under herguidance,ourservicehasflourished,reachingnew heightsandpositivelyimpactingthelivesofcountless individuals
AdventureAwaits:DiscoveringtheTopKid-Friendly DestinationsinWales
Wales,acountryadornedwithcaptivatinglandscapesandsteepedinculturalheritage, presentsanabundanceofthrillingadventuresforfamilieswithyoungexplorers.From majesticmountainstopicturesquecoastlines,Walesstandsasatreasuretroveof opportunitiesforchildrentodiscover,learn,andplay.
EryriNationalPark:APlaygroundAmidstPeaks
NestledintheheartofNorthWales,SnowdoniaNationalParkstandsasahavenfor familiesseekingmountainousadventures.MountSnowdon,Wales'shighestpeak,offersan exhilaratingchallengeforolderchildrenandteenagers,whilethesurroundingareasboast family-friendlytrails,enchantinglakes,andthecharmingvillageofBetws-y-Coed.The park'sadventureparksandzip-liningactivitiesaddanextralayerofexcitementforchildren ofallages
PembrokeshireCoastNationalPark:CoastalMarvels
Forfamiliesinclinedtowardscoastalescapades,PembrokeshireCoastNationalParkisa captivatingdestination Withitsstunningbeaches,hiddencoves,andruggedcliffs,thepark providesavarietyofoutdooractivities,includingseakayaking,coasteering,andboattrips tospotsealsanddolphins ThepicturesquetownofTenby,withitscolorfulhousesand medievalwalls,setsaperfectstageforfamilystrollsandindulgingindeliciousicecream.
Dan-yr-OgofCave:ASubterraneanWonderland
EmbarkonajourneyintothemysteriousdepthsofDan-yr-OgofCaveintheBrecon Beacons,afascinatingundergroundworldthatwillcapturetheimaginationsofboth childrenandadults.Withstalactite-adornedchambersandimpressiverockformations,the cavesofferauniqueandeducationaladventure.Additionally,thenearbyNational ShowcavesCentreforWalesprovidesinteractiveexhibitsandoutdoorplayareas,ensuring acomprehensivefamilydayout.
FollyFarm,situatedinPembrokeshire,seamlesslycombinestheexcitementofan adventureparkwiththewonderofazoo.Boastingadiverserangeofanimals,fromlions andgiraffestopenguinsandmeerkats,FollyFarmofferseducationalencountersand entertainingshowsforchildren.Thevintagefairgroundridesandindoorplayareas guaranteethatthefuncontinues,regardlessoftheweather
GreenWoodFamilyPark:Eco-FriendlyFun
LocatedinSnowdonia,GreenWoodFamilyParkisaneco-friendlyattractionthat emphasizessustainableandeducationaladventures Theparkfeaturestreetopactivities,a people-poweredrollercoaster,andwater-basedrides Withafocusonenvironmental awareness,GreenWoodoffersanidealblendofexcitementandeducationforfamilies seekingeco-consciousadventures.
St David’s Adoption Service 28 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3BA
029 2066 7007 or info@stdavidscsorg
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As a registered Charity you may like to consider supporting the work of St David’s Your contribution will help ensure that every child with an adoption plan in Wales is placed with a loving family and supported to reach their full potential HERE
Registered Office: 28 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3BA
St David’s Children Society is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Registration No: 509163) and a company limited by Guarantee (Registered Cardiff 1546688) St David’s Adoption Service is the brand name of the St David’s Children Society’s adoption service.
Mae Cymdeithas Plant Dewi Sant wedi ei chofrestru fel elusen gyda Chomisiwn Elusennau Cymru a Lloegr (Rhif Cofrestru: 509163) a chwmni cyfyngedig drwy Warant (Cofrestredig Caerdydd 1546688) Gwasanaeth Mabwysiadu Dewi Sant yw enw brand gwasanaeth mabwysiadu Cymdeithas Plant Dewi Sant
© St David’s Children Society 2024
