Hull Trains Supports National Adoption Week Through New Partnership
Hull Trains is marking National Adoption Week by partnering with adoption campaign You Can Adopt, aiming to raise awareness of adoption in the UK. As part of the collaboration, Hull Trains invited adoptive parents Andy and Luke Merriman, along with their adopted twins Savannah and Theo, to share their personal story in a video recorded on board one of its services.
Andy and Luke, who adopted the twins in 2021, travelled to Doncaster with their children and the twins’ former foster parents, who have remained close with the family. In the video, the couple spoke about their journey to adoption, shedding light on the challenges and rewards that come with the process. The video, shared widely on social media by both Hull Trains and You Can Adopt, highlights that the path to family life is unique for each adoptive family and that adoption journeys come in many forms.
The video is part of a wider campaign by You Can Adopt for National Adoption Week, which celebrates the various experiences of adoptive families and the community of people who support them, including foster carers, social workers, and birth families.
Hull Trains, a community-focused rail operator, is known for supporting a range of causes, with the adoption partnership as the latest example. Earlier this year, Hull Trains colleagues selected the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust as their official charity partner for 2024-25, recently working together to organise a beach clean. The operator also backed UK Pride events in Doncaster and Hull this year, showcasing its commitment to community engagement.
Deborah Birch, Head of HR at Hull Trains, emphasised the company’s dedication to raising awareness for adoptive families: “We recognise that all families, including adoptive ones, have their own unique journeys with ups and downs. Our support for National Adoption Week reflects our commitment to creating a supportive environment for adoptive families.”
Hull Trains’ dedication extends to its employee benefits, offering adoption leave in line with maternity leave to ensure staff have the necessary time and resources when welcoming new members into their families.
Andy Merriman, one of the adoptive parents featured in the video, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share their story: “Hull Trains has given us a platform to talk about our adoption journey. We enjoyed a memorable trip from Selby to Doncaster, where we shared our story for National Adoption Week.”
Luke Merriman, Andy’s partner, highlighted the importance of the adoption community’s support throughout their journey. “Adopting Savannah and Theo has enriched our lives. The process wasn’t always straightforward, but connecting with other adopters and feeling supported by the community made a significant difference,” he said.
The partnership aligns with National Adoption Week’s goal to start positive conversations about adoption, highlighting the realities and joys of forming a family through adoption. With initiatives like this, Hull Trains hopes to raise awareness and inspire more people to consider adoption as a path to family life.
For more information about the National Adoption Week campaign, visit youcanadopt.co.uk.
