Grandparent support group launched in Goulburn

The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that there are 14,000 grandparent families caring for children in this country. And it’s thought many more grandparents are not included in official statistics because they are unaware of where to turn for financial, practical and emotional support.

For this reason, Mission Australia – in partnership with the Council of the Ageing and Grandparents Relative and Kinship Carers Alliance – has launched a weekly support group for grandparents in the Goulburn area who permanently look after their grandchildren.

The group of about 20 grandparents – mostly grandmothers – will meet on a weekly basis in Mission Australia’s Goulburn Community Services office with Mission Australia staff providing information they require and arranging guest speakers.

Mission Australia’s Southern NSW Operations Manager, Cheryl O’Donnell, said the grandparents who attended last Friday’s launch barbecue and information session at Mission Australia’s Goulburn office were relieved to find local support.

“One of the ladies who attended had recently taken on the carer role of her grandchild,” Ms O’Donnell said. “It was pure chance that she saw the notice in the newspaper. It happens to so many older people and they just have no idea where to go for support.

“In fact, a number of grandparents in the group said they received children with only the clothes they had on, and the biggest issue they faced was how to deal with the trauma that comes with these children.

“The majority find themselves caring for their grandchildren unexpectedly. Often it’s because of parental substance abuse, parental incarceration, mental health issues, child neglect or abuse, domestic violence or the death of a parent.

Ms O’Donnell added that taking such a hands-on role late in life can be a major emotional and financial strain.

“As almost two-thirds of grandparent families rely on a government pension, benefit or allowance as their main source of income, many find themselves tapping into their lifetime assets and savings as they attempt to support their grandchildren,” she said.

“We know many grandparent-carer families go under the radar and are not included in official statistics. That means government policies aimed at supporting grandparent-carers are lagging behind, and subsequently, so are the number of services available.”

One service that has been particularly effective in providing support is the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program – which is run by Mission Australia in Nowra in partnership with the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs in Nowra (NSW).

Operating since 2004, it helps around 50 grandparents who between them care for approximately 40 grandchildren at any one time.

“We know the program works from the research we’ve undertaken with grandparents who are part of the program. It’s been invaluable in providing them with guidance in raising their grandchildren, helping them deal with stress, addressing legal difficulties and giving them access to a social network of other people in the same situation,” said Ms O’Donnell.

“We think rolling out programs similar to this in other areas around the country would be extremely beneficial, particularly for providing grandparent-carers with the social and legal support they so often need. But there’s room for more action in this area.”