Grandparent Support Groups

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 other 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.

 


MyTime for Grandparents

MyTime for Grandparents is a national network of peer support groups for grandparent carers who are the full-time carers of their grandchildren aged up to 18 years.

Grandparents meet in groups and find out about local support that is available for them as they care for their grandchildren. MyTime groups provide a place to meet with other grandparents to discuss issues that affect their lives. Grandparents can socialise and share ideas with others who understand their caring role. 

MyTime Grandparent Group Details
Cairns
0427 837 327
Townsville
07 4728 7669
Moreton Bay
0410 195 722
Brisbane
07 3353 3109
Toowoomba
0427 265 046
Gold Coast
0412 618 803
Logan
07 5483 1212
Ipswich
07 3812 1270

 

Phone: 1800 889 997
Web: http://www.mytime.net.au/index.php/mytime-for-grandparents 


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) 4055 5161
Web:  http://www.cairnsgrandparents.com


Community Services Tablelands

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.
Web: http://www.kinkare.com.au


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
Grandparents and Grandchildren Coolum
07 5446 1431
Grandparents and Grandchildren Society, Cairns
07 4054 4129
Grandparents and Grandchildren Society, Crows Nest
07 4635 5486
Grandparents and Grandchildren Society, Gold Coast
07 5504 6178
Grandparents and Grandchildren Society, Gympie
07 5482 9012
Grandparents and Grandchildren Society, Maroochydore
07 5474 3705
Grandparents and Grandchildren Society, Hervey Bay and Maryborough
07 5483 1212
Grandparents and Grandchildren Society, Toowoomba
07 4698 1772
Grandparents and Grandchildren Society, Townsville
07 4723 3520
Grandparents and Grandchildren Society, Wooloowin
0401 969343