Bristol Grandparents Support Group Blog : Why am I running a support group?

Welcome.

Hi everyone and welcome to Bristol Grandparents Support Group blog. Although we are Bristol based we have grandparents from all over the UK and beyond as members.

It is estimated that over one million children in the UK are denied contact with their grandparents due to family breakdown which may have been caused by divorce/separation, alcohol/drug dependency,domestic violence,bereavement or family feud.

Every child has the right to have contact with their grandparents

if they wish and unless proven unsafe for them to do so. To deny contact from a parent or grandparent has to become as socially unacceptable as drink driving.

I hope to keep you up to date with what is going on in BGSG and I shall continue to campaign for the rights of children to have a loving and meaningful relationship with both parents and their extended family. So please join in as good to hear your views, not just mine!

I also will support via Skype.

There is no membership fee to be part of Bristol Grandparents Support Group.

Esther Rantzen says, " To every grandparent, links of love can never be broken in our hearts."

www.bristolgrandparentssupportgroup.co.uk

Please contact during office hours.

07773258270

Friday 1 July 2011

Why am I running a support group?

Every now and then I need to think about why I am running a support group for grandparents?

In 2007 I saw my granddaughter for the last time, since that time I have had no contact at all, I have no idea if she is happy,what she is doing or actually anything about her at all.

When I decided to start a support group for other grandparents who are feeling just like me, I had no idea at all what would happen.

I have now been contacted by over 200 grandparents, I have emails asking for support, phone calls from desperate grandparents and the opportunity to get together at our regular meetings. I am constantly asked by the media to do interviews,to go on the radio/TV, speak to journalists etc, to attend consultations on changes to Family Law, something I never expected.

I had no experience whatsoever of speaking in public, but it is amazing what you can do if you believe in something so strongly.

And I do believe that every child has the right to the love and care of both parents and their extended family.

So that is why I am doing this, and I hope I will be able to see changes.

Jane

www.bristolgrandparentssupportgroup.co.uk