About The Service -
The Adopters Together Peer Support Line was shaped by the voices of adoptive parents, ensuring it offers the kind of support families truly need to navigate the everyday realities of adoptive life.
This service is for adoptive families in the East of England and is led by Regional Adoption Agencies: Adopt East, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Adoption, and Adoption Connects. Together, they recognised the importance of peer-led emotional support and joined forces to make it a reality.
To bring this vision to life, Adoption UK has been commissioned to deliver the service — drawing on the skills, knowledge and empathy of their experienced peer support partners. This collaboration ensures that every conversation is grounded in real understanding and shared experience.
Meet Our Peer Support Partners
Bev
An adoptive parent of three, Bev has been a Peer Support Mentor with Adoption UK since 2021. She brings experience from the police and Home Office in crisis management, safeguarding, and empathic support, and holds counselling qualifications.
Yvonne
Adoptive parent to a teenage son with ADHD, Yvonne is a former teacher and senior leader specialising in SEN and inclusion. She now works part-time as an education mentor with a focus on trauma, attachment, and school transitions.
Lucy
Lucy, adoptive parent of two, is an Education Mentor and Parent Support Partner at Adoption UK. A former primary teacher with 16 years’ experience, she leads workshops and supports families with EHCPs and holistic parenting.
Annaleigh
Adoptive parent to two siblings, Annaleigh has 17 years’ experience in early years and primary education, including roles as teacher, SENDCo, and safeguarding lead. She specialises in therapeutic parenting and supporting neurodiverse children.
Cathy
Cathy, who has adopted four children, is a former teacher, youth worker, and community development officer. As a Parent Partner at Adoption UK, she supports families with autism diagnoses, EHCP reviews, and adoption transitions.
Janette
Janette, who home educates her teenage son, has worked as a nurse, teacher, and manager at Marie Curie. She advocates for SEN children and specialises in inclusive education and therapeutic parenting.
Cath
An adoptive and birth parent, Cath has been a Parent Partner since 2020. With experience in early years and adult care, she supports families through attachment, adolescence, and safeguarding.
Hayley
Hayley adopted her daughter through Early Permanence Placement (EPP) and mentors families considering this route. With a background in education, she specialises in adoption transitions, early years, and child protection.
Maxine
Maxine, adoptive parent of two, joined Adoption UK after 30 years in the police. As a Transition Parent Partner, she supports families with EHCPs, ADHD/dyslexia, and adoption tracing.