Families who have adopted children are speaking out this week, as part of Wiltshire Council’s Help our Children Find a Family campaign.

The council is using National Adoption Week, which runs until November 10, to encourage more people to come forward to help dispel myths that may put off people considering adoption.

Margaret and Jim Gilmour, who live near Westbury, have fostered and adopted children for over 40 years. Their latest adopted son is a five-year-old boy with special needs, despite them both being 71.

Mr Gilmour said: “Sometimes people are anxious about adoption and fostering. Our attitude has always been to treat all the children as our own. You have to love them or it won’t work.

“There are obstacles, but you can always overcome them. You will have rough times, but it is rewarding. Stick with it and the rewards far outweigh the negatives.”

Since April, 27 children or young people have been adopted in Wiltshire and 16 more are waiting for adoption. The council’s Help our Children Find a Family campaign was launched in August.

Laura Mayes, Cabinet member for children’s services, pictured, said: “So far we are very pleased by the response to the campaign, but we still need more to come forward and we hope National Adoption Week will help with this.

“Many myths about adoption still persist, so it is important to reiterate that there are very few limitations when people are being considered.

“We assess people on merit rather than age, marital status, income or sexuality.”

To find out more visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/healthandsocialcare/adoption or speak to one of the adoption team on 0800 169 6321.

* Some names have been changed.