As Pride Month unfolds across the UK, Cumbria Fostering & Adoption is encouraging members of the LGBTQ+ community to consider becoming foster carers or adoptive parents.
We believe that every child deserves a safe, loving, and affirming home—and our service is committed to supporting applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and orientations.
“Our mission is to create nurturing environments where children can thrive,” said Cumbria Fostering Service Manager Claire Lloyd. Adding: “We know that loving families come in many forms, and this Pride Month we want to send a clear message: we welcome applications from LGBTQ+ individuals and couples who can offer stability, encouragement, and warmth to a young person in need.”
Dan Bell and Chris Earley, from Barrow, have first-hand experience of the impact a supportive home can make. Dan and Chris began their fostering journey as connected carers for a family member and have since moved on to care for children from outside their network as mainstream carers.
Dan said: “Having such a great support network around us—from the community of local carers, friends, family, and the Mockingbird programme—we felt we had all the tools. We’ve seen over the past six months how much the children have settled in and are doing well in school. Why wouldn’t you want to do it? We give it our all and we love it.”
Cumbria Fostering & Adoption offers a fully inclusive programme of training, support, and peer networks to ensure that all carers and adopters, including LGBTQ+ applicants, have the guidance and resources they need. Our experience and dedicated team will be by your side at every step.
Attend an event in June:
- Wednesday 18 June – Join Cumbria Adoption for our next online Information event at 6pm. Our friendly team give an overview of the adoption process and answer any questions you may have, and a current adopter shares their own experience of adopting. Reserve your place now at our event booking page.
- Thursday 19 June – Join our online fostering information event from 6.30pm to 7.30pm and hear from our friendly team and carers. To register for our event visit our event booking page.
All events are free to attend. Please register in advance at cumbriafostering.org.uk or cumbriaadoption.org.uk