As some of you will know Penny Young who runs the Worcestershire Grandparents Support Group has set up a government petition asking for a legal rights to grandchildren and grandparents, here is link, do please sign https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/655143
As with these new developments there is media interest, which is what we always hope for, it is all about once again raising that awareness.
When grandparents see articles and items on the subject they realise they are not alone and reach out for help and support.
For these items to work of course it needs a great deal of input from group leaders and grandparents themselves. Many hours being asked questions by researchers, looking for grandparents to take part, and hours spent filming for what is generally a short item.
It can be emotionally draining, but for me if just one grandparent picks up the phone afterwards to ask for help, it is all worth it.
I understand only too well how difficult it is for grandparents to share their stories, even if they can be anonymous, and I am so grateful to those who find the strength to do so.
We all know that when we watch items on the TV it is the stories that move us that we take notice of and resonate.
The human story is powerful but painful for those involved.
The true impact of estrangement is only felt by those who experience the loss, the grief you feel is indescribable.
I had many calls and emails yesterday after the item on Radio Bristol, Radio Somerset and BBC Points West, thank you those who got in contact.
You are no longer alone.
If you feel that you would like to be added to our media contact list, please do get in touch. You do not have to be in Bristol as we support grandparents right across the UK and beyond. A grandparent in the US contacted me having also seen the article on the BBC website.
It is important to remember that the media have strict rules about what can and can not be aired. It is certainly not a platform to talk about family members in a derogatory manner, or to name them or your grandchildren.
So again if you would like to be involved please do get in touch, society and cultural change needs like minded people to be talking with one voice.
And it is society and cultural change we need, a society where to deny contact with a parent/grandchild is as socially unacceptable as drink driving or getting into a car and not putting your seatbelt on.
This is affecting over two million children and grandparents, this has become a public health issue, no longer a legal issue. The mental and physical health of those who are estranged can be and is devastating.
To watch item on BBC Points West, forward about 5 minutes into the programme.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001xhwh/points-west-evening-news-19032024
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7204ny69dyo
