About SASSI

We started out over 10 years ago as a small group of solo adopters from DFW (a voluntary adoption agency) in Durham, supporting each other in social settings. We have developed a bond of mutual support and friendship that has grown into a large membership of the North East's first solo adopter's charity. Using lived experience, personal and professional knowledge and skills as well as a good dose of empathy, we empower and support each other every day.

We would love for you to join us!

How did SASSI develop?

All the leadership team and members are solo adopters. We came together socially and just arranged meet ups ad-hoc. We began to realise the benefits of meet up with other solos and how different this was to our friendship circles and family, for both us as parents and our children.

Research was undertaken as part of Psychology degree and masters. One research thesis looked into the impact of therapeutic parenting on the solo adopter and the other looked at the impact of peer support with solo adopters. Which led to formalising this group.

SASSI gained charity status in December 2022. Charity no: 1201275

What does SASSI do?

As SASSI membership is made up of Solo Adopters we offer peer support from lived experiences. A safe group of people where judgement doesn't exist and cake is always available!

Regular meet ups, both in person and online, are offered as well as private facebook group and whatsapp groups to chat and share joys and difficult times. At SASSI we want to help you create the village around your family. We recognise the difficulties with solo parenting an adopted child and understand the strength required.

What to expect from SASSI

SASSI offers peer support in the form of friendship. A good chat over cake! Anything from latest Netflix series to our children's behaviours. Every meet up you will leave regenerated and up-lifted! Often we are the last to leave a soft play and are known to just move location to the nearest family friendly restaurant to keep chatting!

Our children accept everyone and there is rarely any issues, and if there is we all understand! Children in our group range from 1 years old to almost adulthood! The older children enjoy taking the younger ones around soft play and making a fuss of them to allow the parent to chill out and chat.

We can also offer support with schools, friendships and other life events.

If you would like more information please fill out our contact us box and we will be back in touch. Or join any of our social media feeds to keep up to date!

Registered Charity No: 1201275