Never underestimate the importance of support groups.
Some critics have said that ‘Tea and Cake’ is pointless, but I know that is so untrue, and that the reality is members of support groups are life savers.
There is nothing trivial about sharing a cuppa and compassion, it is very powerful and helps so many people.
Those who criticise have no idea the difference that every support group across the UK and beyond make to so many vulnerable people.
There is an immediate need for help and support when grandparents find themselves being denied contact from their grandchildren, they need to know they are not alone and that they are no longer isolated.
Connecting with others who understand is a basic human need, we need to know we are not alone, we have to understand that we have nothing to be ashamed of.
No support group has a magic wand and we don’t have the answers, but we can give grandparents tools to assist them in managing their grief.
We aim to help in improving grandparents well-being and self- worth, and to support them in starting the healing process. As we are all unique we all have different ways of finding our way through, but with the help of people who are walking in the same shoes we can walk beside one another.
Of course giving support in itself is therapeutic,by helping others we help ourselves.
We offer a safe place where we can share our experiences.
Members of BGSG are inspirational, although they may be going through a really dark time themselves they will still put others needs before their own and offer that hand of friendship.
For me the benefits are obvious:
Sharing, learning how others deal with their distress, learning how to self-protect, maintaining a sense of hope, helpling each other.
If you still think we are to be dismissed read this comment:
The grief you feel when you are shut out of your grandchildren lives is unbearable. When there are no more visits, no more telephone calls, no laughter, all you have are photos and memories, you have to find support. Some where to go and grieve, to plan, to hear stories and share, to find hope. This sort of support can not be found in family or friends, it needs to be people who know completely. BGSG allows a flame of hope to quietly burn for all our lost grandchildren, in the messages we put on the Christmas Tree,or in the blogs we write, in simply sitting together. Just knowing you are not alone.
This is just one of hundreds we have received over the years.
Never discount support groups.
