"Grandparents are like a shady tree."

Grandparents can be a shady place for the grandchildren, a place to go for shelter , a welcoming place to share their knowledge with the next generation. Their unconditional love and warmth makes for a very special bond.
So when that bond is broken the children's lives are incomplete, where can they then go for shelter, that fount of knowledge, where can they go to get  that advice from the roots of their family tree to ensure that the fruit is sweet, worthy and loveable?

Jane

www.bristolgrandparentssupportgroup.co.uk

Groups Liability.

 If you are setting up a support group in other areas,  Bristol Grandparents Support Group, founded by Jane Jackson Bristol 2007, is not responsible or liable in any way for other groups, with similar purposes,similar names or similar formats.
Jane
www.bristolgrandparentssupportgroup.co.uk

Chair appointed for Family Justice Board.

David Norgrove to Chair the Family Justice Board.

http://www.education.gov.uk/inthenews/inthenews/a00212149/fjbchair

Jane
www.bristolgrandparentssupportgroup.co.uk

This may not be the group for you?

When I first started this group it was for very personal reasons, not being able to be part of my granddaughters life, it is still the foundation for the group and reasons that I do what I do.
Now, having been in contact with hundreds and hundreds of grandparents, it has been a learning curve, thats for sure.
Mostly it has all been positive and I have made some very good friends as a result, of something that was and still is devastating.
It is important to say that as the group has grown, I have experienced some difficult situations, I am always neutral and am here to give support in whatever way I can, sometimes it may be that the sort of support I give is not enough for some, that is fine, so maybe a different group is the place for you.
I can honestly say that I always try to do my best, I am not a legal expert, nor would I want to be one, I am just a grandparent denied contact with my granddaughter.
I have worked hard to raise public awareness on the issues and to keep it in the public eye.
If there are members who are experiencing issues with other members, I will not get involved, it is between them, if we can't actually be supportive with one another there is no point, this is not the place for disagreements.
Jane
www.bristolgrandparentssupportgroup.co.uk

Right to remove or refuse membership.

Can I draw your attention to clause 5 of our constitution:

5 MEMBERSHIP

There will be no membership fee, trustees have the right to refuse or remove membership.

Jane

www.bristolgrandparentssupportgroup.co.uk

Don't be complacent.

Karen Woodall's latest blog, looks as though the Autumn will be rocky, organisations gearing up to campaign against shared parenting, so pressure needs to be kept up, for legislation on shared parenting, and consequences if not adhered to by resident parents.
Children must be allowed the love and care of both parents,unless proven to be unsafe for them to do so.
It is interesting to note that many contributors to the consultation committee are government funded?
http://karenwoodall.wordpress.com/2012/07/23/httpwww-separatedfamilies-infopolicy-makersfamily-justice-reviewaustralian-experience/#comment-1190

Jane
www.bristolgrandparentssupportgrpoup.co.uk

Thanks to supporters.

I would just like to thank those of you who have been beavering away setting up your own groups and those of you who have been giving support to other grandparents in your areas.
It is great to be able to pass people on knowing that there is a  local listening ear for them.
So thanks to all of you.
Jane
www.bristolgrandparentssupportgroup.co.uk