The Grandparents' Association (GPA) mission is to improve the lives of children by supporting relationships between grandparents and grandchildren. The organisation was set up in 1987 by a small group of grandparents who were denied contact with their grandchildren and we are the only national charity which support grandparents on issues both regarding problems with contact and full time care of grandchildren.
Our purpose is to support the grandparent and grandchild relationship especially where grandparents:
• have lost/are losing contact with their grandchildren because of divorce, family feud or other problems.
• are caring for their grandchildren on a full time basis.
• have childcare responsibilities for their grandchildren.
• are interested in the educational and welfare needs of their grandchildren.
The organisation currently provides a range of national services:
• HELPLINE / INFORMATION & SUPPORT LINE - 8,000+ calls in 2011-12, run by staff and volunteers
• WELFARE BENEFITS ADVICE LINE - part-time service which unlocked £350k+ in otherwise unclaimed benefits in 2011-12, enabled 62 grandparent carer families to access free holidays and 42 families to obtain grants for practical things
• INFORMATION PROVISION - FACT SHEETS, FAQS, PUBLICATIONS
• SUPPORT GROUPS -- valuable peer support that GPA helps to set up. Linked to 58+ in UK
• GRANDPARENT & TODDLER GROUPS
• RECOMMENDED FAMILY LAW 'LAWYERS LIST' -- access to lawyers with appropriate family law experience that give a minimum of 20 min free consultation.
• CAMPAIGNING - working with others to advance profile & status of grandparents