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Parentzone program for grandparents

The Latrobe Grandparents Support Group will hold its next meeting on Wednesday 5 November in Morwell from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

By Latrobe City Council - 14th October 2003 - Back to News

Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Graeme Middlemiss, said that the Parentzone program for grandparents caring for grandchildren, was the only program of its type, and highlighted Latrobe’s commitment to supporting the community at large.

"This program is open to all grandparents raising or caring for grandchildren, through circumstances like substance misuse by the children’s parents, relationship breakdown, death or other events leaving the children needing care. It also caters for grandparents denied access to their grandchildren through divorce, separation, family conflict or loss," Cr Middlemiss explained.

"The Latrobe group was formed following a series of information sessions in October 1999. From the success of the initial information sessions, further meetings were conducted in other locations across Gippsland, supported by Parentzone Gippsland and Relationships Australia, and hosted by Latrobe City Council," Cr Middlemiss said.

Parentzone’s Parent Educator, Pat Wells said that support from professionals and meeting other people in the same situation was crucial for those who attended the group sessions.

"At each meeting, time is devoted to discussing burning issues, sharing information that people have discovered, and hearing from guest speakers as requested by the group.

"The grandparents who attend the support group meetings have reported that they have felt stronger and better about their situation since attending. They claim the support group provides them with an opportunity to learn skills to better manage their situation, both from guest speakers and from mutual support. More importantly, they claim it is the comfort of knowing they are not alone and that other grandparents are facing similar troubles that helps.

"The support group allows grandparents an opportunity to off-load feelings in the knowledge that others in the group understand and have been through similar situations, and in the knowledge that what they say is confidential. Hearing how others have dealt with similar situations gives both hope and strategies," Ms Wells said.

"Among the issues identified by grandparents in raising grandchildren were fear of becoming unwell and being unable to meet responsibilities to the children; being required to use the nest egg to support grandchildren; loss of retirement plans; impact on relationships with other family members and lack of confidence in their own parenting ability in the face of a new generation," Ms Wells explained.

"All these issues are discussed and speakers offer help and advice on how to deal with problems as they occur. It really is invaluable support to the grandparents," Ms Wells concluded.

Grandparents who would like to attend the November meeting, or who would like to receive information about the Grandparents Support Group or to be on the mailing list, are invited to call Pat Wells at Parentzone Gippsland, 5128 5656, or Sue Kemsley at Relationship Australia, 5174 1100. All enquiries are treated confidentially.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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