The Centre Recovery Appeal

**Update 8th September 2022 – So far an incredible £3,756.00 has been raised through this appeal, with an additional £846 in Gift Aid. This includes an extremely generous match-funding donation made in memory of Dr Corinne Rees. Many CCS and Centre families will fondly remember Dr Corinne and the commitment and support she gave to so many families. A huge thank you to everyone who has donated and helped to spread the word! We still very much welcome any further donations which can be made here**

We need your help to continue supporting families in need.

Adopted children often have a tough start in life. Experiencing early life trauma, abuse or neglect, followed by long periods in care. These experiences have a lasting impact and adoption can be extremely challenging for both children and parents.

The Centre is CCS’s adoption support hub. The Centre offers a unique range of support groups, workshops, and activities for tots to teens and their parents which support and improve the well-being of the whole family. We offer this crucial support to all adoptive families from Bristol and the surrounding counties.

Many of you will be familiar with our work. But did you know –

— Our Centre services are not paid for by statutory funding

— The Centre services cost about £200,000 a year to run

— Last year over 200 families benefitted from our specialist services (rated Outstanding by Ofsted)

The last couple of years have been challenging. Like many charities, we face a big shortfall in fundraising income. We urgently need to raise funds to ensure the recovery of the Centre and the continuation of services.

Can you help?

— Can you help by making a gift to CCS? Gifts of any size are hugely appreciated and really will make a difference.

— Can you help by holding a fundraiser? If so, please get in contact with us – email fundraising@ccsadoption.org.

— Can you help by spreading the word? Follow us on social media – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – and share our Recovery Appeal posts!

Donate online today

The services you will support

Please help to secure the future of these services by supporting our appeal today. Our services include:

— Tots Group

Our specialist playgroup is for adopted children aged 0-4 years. Run by our three amazing Children’s Activity Workers. Tots provides a safe and welcoming space for children to build attachment with their new adoptive parents. Carefully planned activities help to support children’s development, address emotional and behavioural issues, and prepare them for ‘mainstream’ playgroups and school.

“A wonderful safe, fun and happy place where my children and I could feel completely at home”

— The A-Team

Our group is for adopted young people aged 12-18. Adolescence can be a particularly challenging time for adopted children; alongside puberty, increased independence and other pressures/issues affecting teenagers, our young people are continuing to grapple with their identity and relationships with peers and adults. The A-Team gives young people the opportunity to take part in activities which aim to develop confidence, social skills and functional skills and support positive identity formation.

“A group where she could feel completely understood, accepted and ‘normal'”

— Wild ‘n’ Free

An outside wild exploration activity group for the whole family which takes place during school half terms and holidays. Offering wild exploration and woodland adventure in a stress-free environment with a focus on shared time together. Wild & Free helps parents to develop a healthy attachment with their children. Children benefit from new experiences which help to build confidence, develop social skills and provide the space to play and express themselves.

“It felt like a place to heal together surrounded by lovely, understanding and friendly faces”

— Parents Support Groups

We run 4 monthly parents’ groups – Mums Group, Dads Group, the LGBTQ+ Coffee Morning and the Single Adopters Catch Up. These groups aim to develop adoptive parents’ confidence and resilience by giving them the chance to get together, meet others who can relate to their experiences, share worries, and give and receive support.

“Mums group has been a vital support for me. Meeting others who ‘get it’, being able to share our highs and lows”

— Workshops for Parents

The Centre runs regular adopters’ workshops covering topics such as FASD (Foetal alcohol spectrum disorders), life story work, contact with birth families, anger rage and shame emotions, embodied emotions and transitions from nursery to primary school.

“What we learned may turn out to be life-changing for our family.”

— Parents Create and Connect

An activity-focused group, offering adoptive parents the opportunity to learn a new creative skill which can enhance well-being through relaxation and alleviate anxiety and stress.

— STEP Group

The Support Through Early Permanence Group offers support to early permanence carers and the opportunity to meet and connect with others going through many of the same issues.

Our services

Thank you for your support. If you would like any further information on the services we offer or how you can help, please contact fundraising@ccsadoption.org.