Local groups are a Life Line.

I would like to thank everyone who has so generously given BGSG donations, it is quite amazing.
The group was set up in 2007, and it has just grown out of all proportion, I wish I could say it hadn't, that there is no need for support groups such as ours, but we all know that is not the case.
As long as there is adult conflict affecting children there will always be a need.
There are a great many organisations all over the UK, and beyond who are giving wonderful support to those who need it, and it is at local level that it is so effective.
When someone is in trouble, they need help, somewhere close to home, another human being they can confide in, not an answer phone, or a call that keeps you hanging on for 30mins, or a call back system that takes a week to respond.
I salute all of the local volunteers who give of their time freely and with commitment, without them many organisations would simply no longer exist.
I don't think that the general public have any idea how important these groups are, they are in many cases a life line to someone.
What does annoy me is, why it is so very difficult to become a registered charity, so many documents, forms let alone the £5thousand to apply, it is such a shame and I am sure many, many people get put off, we should be encouraging it not making stumbling blocks all along the way.
A grandparent said to me recently, " I just know when it is time for another meeting, a need to come and unload all this pain, I don't need to put the dates in my diary I just feel it is time."

Jane
www.bristolgrandparentssupportgroup.co.uk