Welcome to VANISH

Search and support for adults impacted by adoption and family separation

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About VANISH

VANISH is a Victorian-based not-for-profit organisation providing support to adults affected by past adoption practices including adopted people, mothers and fathers separated from a child through adoption and other family members. We also provide support to care leavers and donor conceived individuals.  

We provide a range of free and confidential services including information and support, assistance with search and reunion, access to specialist counselling in the community through a counselling brokerage program, peer support groups, and creative workshops. 

VANISH is widely respected as a lived experience-led organisation and advocate. We continue to work towards a society that honours the best interests of the child and the right to genetic identity and connection.

Personal stories

My experience: A mother’s story

First came a friend request on Facebook. Just another 'I don't even know you' moment like so many others so I just ignored it. About a week later the postie was knocking on my door with a registered letter. My mind started racing, was this good news or bad? I looked...

Never say never: How I met my mother

I first found out I was adopted at about the age of 30, when Mum and Dad were compelled to tell me by circumstance. Hence, I didn’t feel I could pursue my original birth story until both had passed away. It was the mid-1990s when I found the good people at VANISH, who...

The Last Goodbye

This contribution came from a VANISH member (adoptee) who wanted to find a meaningful way to acknowledge the death of her mother. There are no recognised ceremonies or rituals in the adoption community to help us with our familial losses.  — The gathering was held in...

Mark’s Story

I was born in 1963 and adopted six weeks later.  At the age of six, I was told I was adopted and to me it didn’t really matter at the time as I was so young.  As I went through school and other kids found out I was adopted I suffered deep humiliation and embarrassment...

Latest news and events

Creative Expression Program for Adopted People

Creative Expression Program for Adopted People

Join us for a six-week Creative Expression program designed especially for the adoptee community — a space to explore your inner landscape through art, movement, music, and reflection.

This workshop will explore how trauma affects the body and how we can use our body to regulate uncomfortable feelings of overwhelm.
The aim is to introduce breathing and grounding exercises to help participants develop their own personal resourcing strategies.

The workshop will also explore the benefits of self-compassion as a resource to help overcome negative self-talk or uncomfortable feelings such as shame and unworthiness. The aim is to help participants develop their own personal self-compassion practices based on the three core components, mindfulness, self-kindness and common humanity.

This workshop will be over two 90 minutes sessions
Date: Friday 16 May and Friday 30 May
Time: 1pm to 2.30pm
Venue: TBC

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Self-Care Group for Adoptees – Join us on Thursday 8th May 2025

Self-Care Group for Adoptees – Join us on Thursday 8th May 2025

Our theme for the May group will be: “What’s in a Name?”

For many adoptees, our names symbolise the complexity and fragmentation of our search for an authentic sense of self, independent of others’ expectations. Our name can be emotionally layered, representing a crossroad between the life we have lived and the life we could have lived.

In this self-care session, we will explore our relationship with our name(s) through creative expressive art-making. Whether it’s the name you were given, one you have claimed or fantasise about claiming, or a name that is still unfolding, this space invites reflection and self-expression.

You can select from a variety of art materials—calligraphy pens, fine liners, specialty papers, collage elements, and more—to honour and visually explore what your name means to you. You’re also welcome to bring along your own creative materials, such as wooden or cardboard letters, if you’d like to decorate or paint as part of your process.

What to Expect:
🪑 Cozy Group Setting (limited to 8 participants seated around the meeting table)
🎨 Individual Creative Exploration with art materials provided
💡 A Period of Quiet Creative Focus, followed by journaling prompts (bring a journal)
💬 The Opportunity to Share Reflections, though sharing is always optional
🤝 A Supportive Environment with fellow adoptees

There is no need for artistic experience – just an openness to engage in a process that honours your unique journey. Whether you choose to create, reflect, or simply be present, this is a space where your self-expression is valued, and your presence is enough.

Spaces are limited to 8 participants, so please RSVP soon to secure your spot.
To register or ask questions, please email info@vanish.org.au

Date: 8th May 2025
Time: 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Duration: 2 hours
Group Size: Limited to 8 participants
Location: North Melbourne

Next Steps
New to VANISH Groups? To enquire about attending a VANISH group for the first time, please contact us on the below details:
Phone: (03) 9328 8611. Toll Free: 1300 826 474 (1300 VANISH). Email: info@vanish.org.au.

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Search Service

“I would like to thank you for your care and compassion in assisting me with my search.  Your professionalism and sincerity has made the difficult situation of learning about my mother’s short life and tragic death an easier process to deal with.”

Search Service

“I cannot imagine what my difficult search and reunion would have been like without Charlotte and the team from VANISH.”

About our staff

“I would just like to say thank you for all the kindness and support Tracey showed me yesterday. Her listening skills and understanding meant a lot to me.”

About our staff

“The staff were professional, caring and compassionate.”

About our staff

“I really found Patricia (my ‘case manager’) to be amazing and feel lucky to have had her on my journey.”

Support Groups

“Being around other people who understand your experience and can voice their own is just so incredibly powerful. I feel so very grateful to the VANISH adoptee support group.”

Advocacy

“Thank you for your ongoing high standard of service provision and advocacy on behalf of the adoption community – especially the adoptee community.”

Get in touch with our helpful team

Contact us to find out more about our services or have a chat about how we can best support you.