Raising awareness of unjustified estrangement is one of BGSG aims, and there are many ways of doing so.
By taking part in media coverage, writing articles, doing presentations and doing interviews with all sorts of organisations, pairing up with likeminded groups whose focus is all about the children are some of the most obvious ways, and for nearly 16 years I think we have managed to highlight the emotional damage done to children when they are denied contact with loving and caring family members.
By giving support to grandparents and enabling them to speak out on the subject also raises awareness.
I have found it extraordinary that in so many different situations, when striking up conversations with strangers, just how many are either affected by estrangement themselves or know someone who is going through this living bereavement.
It shouldn’t be that surprising as estimated two million grandparents are denied contact.
We are always looking for new ways to raise awareness and this last week we had a lovely bench installed on The Downs in Bristol, I hope that everyone who sits on it will read the plaque and spend a moment thinking about what estrangement means to children.
Those who live in Bristol have been sending us photos of themselves on the bench, which is great.
We also have a plaque on Clevedon Pier in North Somerset, so if you are ever on the pier see if you can find it. You could take some Brass cleaner with you!
For those of you who have been members for a while will also know that we are coming up to the ‘Tree of Hope’ time.
For 14 years we have had a Christmas Tree in our front garden for grandparents to write messages to their grandchildren and put them on the tree, it has become a community event and the schoolchildren who pass everyday always ask us about it, and some write messages to grandparents themselves. Our little beacon of light.
I will post on Facebook and Twitter when you can send me your messages to your grandchildren for me to put on the tree.
