Millie’s circle of support

When Millie came home for good, she wasn’t just welcomed by her adoptive parents but by siblings, wider family and friends. Millie’s mum Rachel explains the incredible circle of support that has wrapped around them, “They feel an extra special something towards Millie - she has captured their hearts. They are rooting for her, and they celebrate her with us. They are cheering her on and championing her. It’s awesome!”

Home for Good loves hearing about vulnerable children being welcomed into whole communities, so we thought we’d find out more from some of the wonderful people who are playing a significant role in Millie’s life.

Millie’s sisters, Poppy (13) and Ella (9):

“Watching Millie and helping her to learn new things and discover things is great. I like watching her grow. She’s very funny and adventurous – and fantastic! I hope that Millie grows up happy and that she carries on being adventurous. I want her to have goals, dreams and ambitions and to know that she can achieve them, and to keep going for the things that she really wants to do.” – Poppy

“I think adoption is fun and g­ood. I love my sister Millie because she laughs a lot and she loves cuddles and she’s very chatty. I hope she will always feel welcome in our family and we will keep being three loving sisters to each other.” – Ella

Millie’s grandmother Paula:

“I never think of Millie as any different from my other grandchildren. Obviously, as a family we are on a journey and it’s sometimes tricky, but there has never been any question of loving her – I have just always loved her! It was such a privilege to walk with my daughter and son-in-law on their journey to adoption and it was great to be able to support them practically, especially by caring for Poppy and Ella when they did their training and assessments, and again when they began introductions with Millie.

When I was a child, adoption was such a hidden, secretive thing and that was terrible for all involved. While it is still so very sad that children experience such trauma, I am so glad that there is better understanding and support now. Home for Good is such a great ambassador for vulnerable children and I hope the church continues to step up and respond to the need that there is.”

Family friend Heather:

“It has been such an honour and privilege to support the family through this journey of adopting Millie. Their openness and obedience to God has been inspiring. Opening up their home to a new child and engulfing her with their love has been an amazing experience to watch and be involved in. Millie has been able to blossom and grow into a gorgeous little girl because of the loving home God has placed her in. She has had a part of my heart since Rachel first told me about her – just her cheeks alone are worth loving!

Seeing how Poppy and Ella have sacrificially accepted Millie as their new sister, allowing her to take up their mum’s time and energy has been incredible, and seeing how God placed this beautiful girl in this new home has given me the hope that this is something we could possibly offer to a child when the time is right for us as a family.”

Family friend Ruth:

“We were so excited to hear that the family were exploring adoption as it was something that was on our hearts for our own family. Every time we touched base throughout the process we were struck by how they were making this journey together as a whole family, and when Millie came home, we were just starting our own journey to adoption. Millie is just wonderful! She is full of joy and laughter and has such a special place in our hearts. It’s meant so much to us to walk this adoption journey with our friends, and likewise for them to walk our adoption with us, especially now that our little one has recently been placed with us too!”

Children’s worker Lucy:

“When Millie first came to the Sunday group that I help with, Rachel explained how she needed to stay with Millie as it was such an important time for building attachments. We were keen to support the family and give them the space and time they needed. But, wow, what a joy it was to have Millie in the group! All toddlers are endearing but Millie’s bubbly personality charmed and entertained us all. Watching her grow in confidence was amazing and by the end of her time with us, Millie was very much deciding what she'd like to play with, where and with whom, and with great enthusiasm. It was lovely to watch her blossoming in this way, to see the family’s commitment and hard work was paying off and to see that lots of prayers were being answered."

There are tens of thousands of children in care, and Home for Good exists to make sure each and every one of them is rooted for, cheered on and championed by families and communities who love them. Could you give a gift each month so that more children like Millie can find their home for good? Give here.