Parky's call to help grandchildren with hearing problems
27/11/2008
Sir Michael Parkinson is calling on grandparents of deaf children in England to get actively involved in an innovative project set to give them much-needed support and encouragement to form a strong bond with the deaf child in their family.
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How grandparents can help prevent child abuse tragedies
In the wake of the Baby P scandal, and putting aside the abject response to the tragedy in PMQs this week by baying herds of MPs, several questions spring to mind. One is: excuse me, but haven’t we been here before? Secondly: if we really DO care for the most vulnerable in society, why is there a shortage of social workers in places like Haringey? And thirdly, what role, if any can grandparents play in preventing this?
Childcare by grandparents cuts injury risk to children by half
Having grandparents as child care providers can actually cut the risk of childhood injury by almost half compared to organized daycare or care by the mother or other relatives - according to a new study.
Who will be Grandparent of the Year 2009?
The search is on to find the nation's favourite grandparent to take over the much coveted title of Grandparent of the Year. And if you know someone who you think deserves this title, you can nominate them online. This person might be a relative, or a special older person (50
+) who has influenced your life, without actually being related to you.
Help at hand for 'Greys' rearing the UKs young
With Grandparents Day on October 5th, here are some of the new and very helpful websites and information lines available for the UK's estimated 300,000 grandparents and extended family members who are raising their grandchildren for a variety of reasons. Sadly, the vital role they play is frequently ignored by politicians, and many struggle to raise grandchildren on a pension, coping with ill health and turmoil in the wider family. Many feel isolated and stigmatised, whilst others find great joy in passing down old traditions - and learning new tricks to keep up with the times.
Keeping the family circle together
Broken families have been blamed for the rise in anti-social behaviour and crime, and young people staying locked into welfare rather than making their way in life. So what’s the solution? Pamela Wilson, Chairwoman of Grandparents Action Group UK maintains that at least part of the responsibility must lie with the way that Family Courts operate, and makes suggestions on a better way forward.
Plea from Grandparents Apart - please support our cause!
In our relatively short period of existence, Grandparents Apart have raised the profile of grandparents by lobbying all the UK governments and by issuing press releases through television, radio and magazines. We now ask you to help us continue this work by becoming a member.
"We want access to our grandkids"
Campaigners are asking for YOUR support to give grandparents legal access to their grandchildren if they are taken into care or should tragedy strike the parents.
One in six grandparents now babysitting 40 hours a week
New research shows that grandparents spend on average over 17 hours a month and £20 per day looking after their grandchildren – and one in six spend the equivalent of a week’s full time employment per month caring for grandchildren.
Join our campaign to protect "forgotten children"
Please can your readers help us to make the government aware of the plight of the forgotten children of drug and alcohol abusers, who are caught in a protection trap where no-one can help them? We are campaigning for the right of non-resident parents and grandparents to protect them - and a petition is presently being considered by the Scottish Government.
"Call your grandparents" appeal
Help the Aged is calling on the public to contact their grandparents this Grandparent’s Day. In the lead up to Grandparent’s Day, on Saturday 22nd September, a survey by Help the Aged and Zurich Community Trust reveals around 2.5 million (1 in 5) grandparents go for more than a month without seeing their grandchildren.
Why abused children need their grandparents
Grandparents, argues Jimmy Deuchars, know their own children and have the special insight as to how they could treat their grandchildren, especially in drug and alcohol danger homes.
Who is looking after the children?
An article appeared in the Scotsman on August 31st, with the alarming report about deaths caused by drugs. It seem that fatalities in children from drug abuse has leapt up by 37% - with at least one death every day in Scotland.
It's back to school - for grandparents!
Grandparents are officially being encouraged by Ofsted to take a greater role in the education of their grandchildren.
Simple school attendance tips for grandparents
Some 10 million grandparents in the UK are responsible for making sure their grandchildren attend school. But, sadly, around 6.68% of kids miss school regularly.
As part of the government's "Every Lesson Counts" campaign, Dr Raj Persaud, Consultant Psychiatrist at the Bethlem Royal and Maudsley NHS Hospitals Trust has put together a simple six-point plans specifically for grandparents to make mornings run smoothly and kids more engaged at school.
