On Monday 29th October, The UK’s leading grandparents charity – The Grandparents’ Association revealed its new app at a House of Commons launch event to mark the celebration of its 25th anniversary since launch.
The new digital application will support the charity’s awareness raising efforts across digital platforms, and not just amongst grandparents who require the services and support on offer.
A number of MPs and childcare industry stakeholders attended the event including MP David Blunkett and former Children’s Minister, Tim Loughton MP.
Lynn Chesterman, CEO of The Grandparents’ Association was delighted to reveal the new app and commented: “Fundraising is becoming more of a struggle every month, so we have to look at new and innovative ways that we can boost our efforts.
“This new digital platform is not only a great way to celebrate our 25th anniversary, but it is also expected to raise awareness amongst grandparents and the millions of people in the UK who support the rights of grandparents.”
The Grandparents’ Association was started in 1987 by a small group of grandparents denied contact with their grandchildren who were in the ‘care’ system. It grew from a small group of volunteers into a Federation and then, in 1992, into the Grandparents’ Association with the mission to improve the lives of children by supporting relationships between grandparents and grandchildren - the only national charity which supports grandparents on care of grandchildren and problems with contact.
The charity’s purpose is to support the grandparent-grandchild relationship especially grandparents who:
• have childcare responsibilities for their grandchildren.
• have lost/are losing contact with grandchildren due to divorce, family feud, adoption etc.
• are caring for their grandchildren on a full time basis.
Its vision is for a society where:
• support grandparents provide is widely recognised and adequately supported.
• grandparents raising grandchildren have equal status to foster parents in finance/support.
• benefits of contact between children and their grandparents is recognised in law.