Volunteers come to KEEN for many different reasons, for some, volunteering with KEEN is also part of their journey towards adoption.
For Adoption Awareness Week, we asked former KEEN London volunteer Naomi to share her experiences of the first year since she and her partner were placed with their daughter — the challenges, the things that helped, and what she wishes she’d known.
Thank you, Naomi, for sharing your journey so openly. We hope it’s helpful to the many KEEN volunteers currently on their own adoption journeys, and to anyone else preparing for this life-changing next chapter.
If you are a KEEN London volunteer we do have a what’s app group for coaches across all three sites that are going through the adoption process, so please get in touch with your Coordinator to join.
If you are new to KEEN London and found this video online, welcome! Currently between 40-50% of new volunteers come to us through the adoption process. We are grateful to the many organisations (PACT, Coram, Adopt London and more, that share our volunteering opportunities.
Volunteering as a KEEN London coach is a great way to gain first hand experience being around children and particularly those with additional needs and SEND. Our volunteers learn everything they need to support children in our service, play, engage and thrive. Naomi is just one of many volunteers who have gone on to place with children and we are always delighted to catch up with our extended KEEN London family.
Find out more about volunteering here.