introduction
An estimated 200,000 grandparents are raising their grandchildren because of the children's parents' mental health problems, substance misuse, disability, bereavement or imprisonment. Grandparents Plus published a report with Adfam about the experience of grandparents who were doing this because of substance misuse Forgotten Families.
We and Adfam also partnered Mentor UK in their grandparents project which resulted in the Mind the Gap Resource Pack. One of the recommendations of the project was to set up a Network for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren.
The GRG Network brings together grandparents who are raising their grandchildren to give them a voice, to share experiences, to find solutions and to tell government, children's services, the NHS, drug and alcohol agencies and others what needs to change.
We do this by running local, regional and national events for grandparents, through our newsletter Grandparents First, through this website, and by joining forces with other groups to make our voice heard.
If you are a grandparent raising a grandchild (or a family or friend carer) and would like to join the Network please email info@grandparentsplus.org.uk with your name and address.
