Melissa Shackleton

How did you become involved with adoption and Adoption UK? 

I am a grown up adoptee and have followed Adoption UK on Facebook and simply saw a Trustee role advertised and thought why not go for it!  Previously I wasn’t even aware that the support services existed.

Any specific skills or areas of expertise relevant to the work of Adoption UK?

My career has been in Marketing and E-commerce with a luxury retailer and I have no experience of working within the charity sector. But my experience of building a brand from the very beginning means that I am resourceful in my thinking and understand how to grow awareness of brands through campaigns and PR activities.   Focusing on stories and good content can make a real difference to brand reach. 

Coming from a commercial background, membership growth at Adoption UK is an area which my past experience can really help.

As an adoptee who had very little awareness of Adoption support services previously. I would like to help Adoption UK become more widely known and help not just families who are going through adoption but older children and young adults.