Having the full time care of your grandchildren can be very rewarding but also challenging. Grandparents sometimes feel physically and emotionally drained by their caring role and at times, they may question themselves about their ability to keep on coping. With the demands of being a parent for the second time, friendships with others of a similar age can be difficult to maintain and grandparents can begin to feel socially isolated.
Joining a grandparent support group can be a way of forming new friendships and having access to information and the wisdom of others grandparents who are also raising grandchildren. Often support groups also organise social activities, The support of others can assist grandparents to continue to have the energy to keep on care giving.
Cairns and District Grandparents Support Group
Meets at Hambledon House Community Centre, Edmonton on the first Wednesday of each month at 9:30am Grandparents finding themselves in the primary carer's role of grandchildren often have the need for companionship, information and a chance to share their experiences with other grandparents. Would you like to meet other grandparents/carers who are in the same situation.
For Grandparents who care for or have no access to their Grandchildren. Join the Cairns Grandparenting Support Group.
Phone (07) 40 555 161
Email: Click Here
Atherton Grandparents Support Group
Atherton Neighbourhood Centre has started a new Grandparents Raising Grandchildren support group They get together once a fortnight to discuss topics raised by the grandparents themselves. Meetings take place at The Family Support House 38 Mabel Street and you can phone 4091 3850 to find out more.
KinKare
KinKare was formed to provide peer support to grandparents and kin carers with full time care for their grandchildren and young relatives. It assists in distributing information of relevance to members as well as offering social activities. The service currently operates in Beenleigh and Nerang areas as well as the Sunshine Coast. For information please contact main phone number Phone: 07 3287 1664.
For further information please click here.
Grandparents Raising Own Grandchildren (GROG)
is a Queensland organisation with a focus on local issues and providing Queensland-specific referral, support, social contact and networking for grandparents raising own grandchildren. Contact Beverley Schultz on (07) 5483 1212 for more information and contacts.
Other Grandparent Support Groups
Below are listed the contact numbers for various grandparent support groups throught the state of QLD. These groups are a great source of contact for grandparents wanting to meet others in similar situations. Support groups can help you to:
Reduce your Stress.
Develop a support network with similar people.
Encourages positive feelings.
Help to build your resource base.
Grandparent Support Group Details
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Grandparents and Grandchildren Coolum
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07 5446 1431
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Grandparents and Grandchildren Society, Cairns
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07 4054 4129
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Grandparents and Grandchildren Society, Crows Nest
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07 4635 5486
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Grandparents and Grandchildren Society, Gold Coast
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07 5504 6178
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Grandparents and Grandchildren Society, Gympie
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07 5482 9012
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Grandparents and Grandchildren Society, Maroochydore
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07 5474 3705
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Grandparents and Grandchildren Society, Hervey Bay and Maryborough
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07 5483 1212
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Grandparents and Grandchildren Society, Toowoomba
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07 4698 1772
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Grandparents and Grandchildren Society, Townsville
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07 4723 3520
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Grandparents and Grandchildren Society, Wooloowin
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0401 969343
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