Services:

• Older People
• Youth, Children & Families
• Mental Health
• Elder Care Canterbury

Support for grandparents raising grandchildren

Around 4,500 grandparents in New Zealand find themselves in the difficult situation of becoming parents all over again – to their grandchildren. It is not by choice, and can be the cause of considerable stress – financial, emotional, social and physical. The children have often been put in their care because the parents are unable to take care of them. With the children come legal, medical, schooling and accommodation costs at a time when many grandparents have retired and downsized their homes. Many are unaware what assistance they are entitled to and struggle to cope.

Presbyterian Support’s monthly Grandparents as Parents group at the Campbell Centre in Christchurch offers an opportunity for people in a similar situation to share their experiences, access services, and listen to guest speakers addressing concerns and providing information. Fourteen grandparents met with Minister of Welfare Ruth Dyson recently to tell her about their struggles to manage on the Unsupported Child Allowance, about court battles over custody of their grandchildren, about mortgaging their houses to pay lawyers’ fees, about their deteriorating health, and losing their friends.

“When you take your grandchildren into your life it changes completely,” said one. “We had to take five on – otherwise they would have been split up all over Christchurch. We had to get a van and all new beds because we’d got rid of all the spare furniture.”

Many spoke about the value of the Grandparents as Parents group. “We couldn’t do without this support,” said one couple. “We’ve learnt a lot. You can unburden yourself. Other people don’t want to know – friends drop off because they do things in the evening, but we’ve got children.”

Presbyterian Support is expanding the Grandparents as Parents groups in Christchurch to meet local demand. From July, groups will meet monthly in Hornby, Spreydon, Wainoni and Bryndwyr as well as at the Campbell Centre. “There’s increased need for grandparents to feel supported and reduce isolation, and get information about their entitlements,” says Presbyterian Support Christchurch Regional Manager Gaynor Duff.

For information about the Grandparents as Parents groups please contact group organiser Norma Pheasant on (03) 363 8219 (Monday to Thursday) email normap@pressupportusi.org.nz.