A Grandmother’s love

When Brenda first heard about Grandy’s Group, it was her friend who put her onto it. “She told me about it and said I should come along”.

Brenda has been raising her three grandchildren (now aged 13, 11 and 10) for most of their lives. They’re her daughter’s children, and she’s had them in her care since they were very young. Her daughter had some struggles but had worked hard to overcome them when eight years ago she tragically passed away in a car crash. Their dad had been absent from the picture for just as long, leaving Brenda as the rock for her girls. “It’s been hard,” she says simply, “But so worth it!”
When Brenda started coming to Grandy’s Group, she found a support network that understood how she felt and could share in what she was going through. The Grandy’s Group is a place where people can chat and laugh and learn “we are all going through the same issues and others can always help”.

Raising grandchildren is a different world from raising your own kids Brenda says. “Life is different. Now, there’s the internet/social media – I want to keep them safe.”

Still, there are shining moments that make everything worthwhile. “Watching them grow up,” she says with a smile. “It’s hard, but it’s worth every bit of it.” The most difficult part, unsurprisingly, has been the grief—their grief, and her own. “They have anger over losing their mum. It’s tough. But the children have helped me too.”

Her advice to others in a similar position? “Come to the group. Talk about your problems. Get support. We spend two hours talking, laughing… others can always help. The ladies who run it are brilliant, always happy to help. You make good friendships and contacts.”

Grandy’s Group

Grandy’s Group meets monthly on a Friday and is a safe space for grandparents to share experiences, navigate parenting again, find guidance in an ever-changing world.

Being a grandparent is a gift but stepping into the role of full-time caregiver for grandchildren (at times at little notice), brings unique challenges – both rewarding and demanding. That’s why

Grandy’s Group was created: a warm and understanding support group tailored specifically for grandparents raising their grandchildren.

For more information about attending Grandy’s Group please call our freephone 0508 396 678 or if you would like to support this unfunded service, please see our donation page.

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