Our Grandparents is the part of our campaign where we support grandparents living with the forced loss of their relationship with their grandchild.
Based on our Savanta survey in 2022, we estimate that an eighth of the population aged 45+ are prevented from forming, developing and sustaining a relationship with their grandchild. This is significant.
Our typologies describe the situations grandchildren and their grandparents find themselves in.
Following the launch of the 'Grandparents United for Children' report in November 2023, our wider grandparent campaign ‘Our Grandparents’ includes our initial support work following that plus a broader set of self-help activities.
Our Grandparents is now part of the Grandchildren's Policy & Rights Centre alongside the upcoming Midlands Model ‘Grandchildren First’ pilots to inform policy and practice change, a scheduled Lobby Your MP programme to secure legal change, our Grandchild-to-Grandchild Doodle Letters production, and of course we continue with both grandparent and grandchild-related webinars’ programmes.
Critical to our mission is that we work with other organisations that support grandparents and we work with grandparents on the ground in lobbying for change in law, policy and practice in relation to our grandchildren and ourselves.
How can you get involved? Please register for an MP lobbying pack here, share the word and attend our webinars, get involved in one of our pilots schemes, or contact us here.
Our Grandparents
Are you a grandparent needing support? Please check out our contacts below for pro bono and peer support around the UK.
Leeds Beckett University has kindly offered their undergraduate pro bono Law Clinic support to grandparents seeking legal advice.
This service, provided by law students supervised by two family law tutors, is available without charge to any grandparents who are struggling to access legal advice (due to costs or otherwise).
Note that capacity and availability is limited due to the nature of undergraduate work i.e. term-time and with availability around lectures and other academic activities. Note also that the clinic's service is not restricted by geography as appointments can be conducted online.
Here's the link to the Law Clinic with contact details, opening times and a map:
Law clinic | Leeds Beckett University
Grandchildren who have reached the age of 18 or over are of course legally able to make contact with their grandparents themselves.
Grandparent support groups
Please find details of peer support groups for alienated or estranged grandparents. Note that all groups are run by volunteers so please be patient when waiting for a response from your initial contact.
Berkshire Grandparent Support Group
Location: South-east England
Leader: Debi
Email: contact@debirichens.co.uk
Cymru Grandparent Support Group
Location: Wales
Leader: Sheryl
Email: gscymru@outlook.com
Durham Grandparents Support Group
Location: Northeast England - Durham City & Co. Durham
Leader: Christina
Email: georgenick_shadforth@hotmail.co.uk
Tel: 07718 570617
Web: Grandparents Support Group | Durham Christian Partnership (durhamcp.org.uk)
Provides:
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Individual emotional support, in a friendly and non-judgemental atmosphere.
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Mutual support from other grandparents who are experiencing similar situations.
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A confidential and comfortable environment in which to meet.
Meets on the second Monday of the month from 12.30pm to 2.30pm in Durham.
Grandparents Apart UK
Location: Scotland
Leader: June
Web: http://grandparentsapart.co.uk/
Tel: 01560 322937
Hampshire Grandparent Support Group
Location: South England
Leader: Debi
Email: info@debirichens.co.uk
Hampshire Grandparent Support
Location: South England
Herefordshire, Gloucestershire & Monmouthshire Grandparent Support
Location: Mid-west England and Wales
Leader: Heulwen
Hendon Grandparent Support Group
Location: South-east England
Leader: Lorraine Bushell OBE
Email: hendongrandparents@gmail.com
Northumberland Grandparent Support Group
Location: North East England
Leader: Loraine
Email: Lorainengsg@aol.com
Oxfordshire Grandparent Support Group
Location: Mid-England
Leader: Diane
Email: oxfordshiregsg@gmail.com
Parents of Estranged Adult Children (PEACe)
Location: Essex
Venue: Essex (contact for meeting venue details)
Leader: Marian
Email: info@peac.org.uk
Meets on the second Wednesday of the month
Sutton & Lichfield Alienated & Estranged Grandparents' Support Group (SLAEGS)
Location: Midlands, England
Leader: Rachel
Email: slaegs.group@gmail.com
Tel: 07570 177937
The Wolds Grandparent Support Group
Location: North England - East Yorkshire
Leader: Marie
Email: marieatfoxysden@gmail.com
Tel: 07594 505087
Meets monthly in-person and daily WhatsApp contact
Worcestershire Grandparent Support Group
Location: Midlands, England
Leader: Penny
Email: Worcsgsg@gmail.com
Tel: 07751 444747