If you are raising your grandchildren, come along to Community First New Forest’s Grandparents Information Day on Wednesday 14 October.
There will be speakers from Age UK New Forest, Hope, and Princess Royal Trust amongst others. You can meet others in similar situations and find mutual support and encouragement. Refreshments are available from 10.15am. The event will run from 10.30am to 1.15pm at Lyndhurst Community Centre and includes a sandwich lunch. It is open to grandparents from across the New Forest.
Grandparents can be thrown into a caring role unexpectedly, often as a result of a tragedy. Common reasons include an accident, a death or drug and alcohol addiction. According to the Group’s Facilitator, Carol Malky, “Just at the time of life when they want to relax and enjoy themselves, many grandparents have to put their lives on hold indefinitely. As much as they love their grandchildren, this can be a real challenge.”
The charity has been running a support group for Grandparent Carers for just under five years, supporting the growing number of grandparents in a full-time caring role. Carol believes that this type of event and the regular support group meetings help to spread the message that support and advice is out there.
To book a place, contact Carol Malky on 01425 482773 or email cypservices@cfnf.org.uk. Alternatively, if you are unable to attend but would like to receive a copy of their Guide for Grandparent Carers then Community First New Forest would also like to hear from you.
