Trust is imperative

When you are listening to an estranged grandparent you have to not just listen but to hear.

Each and every grandparent is unique their stories are personal to them, it is essential that the grandparent trusts you and knows that whatever they tell you is kept just between the two of us.

We are a support group and I know that we have helped many grandparents at a time when they are at their lowest ebb, they are confused, angry and lost.

The cruelty that is bestowed on them is often in my view inhuman.

It is a privilege for me to be that listening ear and although I have been receiving calls for 15 years, each new call is the most important call I take.

The average Helpline call lasts for about 50 minutes.

BGSG has raised awareness for 15 years, taking every opportunity to talk about the life long damage done to grandchildren by this emotional abuse.

As you know we focus on the rights of grandchildren, not grandparents rights, and that has never changed and will always be our focus.

As a charity we do not promote the legal route, or affiliate ourselves to lawyers, we leave that for others.

Sometimes there are bumps in the road, times when I question what we do, times when I get criticised, times when I feel I am surplus to requirements, it is at times like those that I have to reset.

I need to take time out, and to bring myself back to the reason I set up BGSG in 2007, and not veer off course.

That reason is clear, I set it up in the name of my own GD, and in those first days I told myself if I ever forgot that reason it would be time to stop.

Organisations and groups may change, but grandparents will still be going through the same heartbreak and will be struggling with this living bereavement.

BGSG will still carry on, doing what it does best.

Holding the hands of those who need us, when they need us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Jane

Jane setup Bristol Grandparent Support Group in 2007 after a string of incidents led to the loss of contact with her Grand Daughter.

View all Jane Posts

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