The grandparents support group Grandparents As Parents (G.A.P.) was founded in 2003 as a local support group for grandparents who are full time carers to their grandchildren.

Since 2004 the support group has helped several grandparents not just on Mereside but also from St Annes, Cleveleys, Fleetwood and as far away as Oldham, Liverpool, South Wales and Cornwall. Since that time we have also set up support groups in other areas. November 2005 saw the launch of the GAP website which attracted members from all over the UK. In February 2006 GAP changed its role to become more of a campaigning group to fight for the rights of not just grandparent carers but also kinship carers. This year also saw the forum added to our site which has been a great success ! This year 2007 is so far our best year we are midst developing a brand new website with a bigger and better forum keep watching for more news.

Our aims are:-
1: To campaign for a change in policies within Government by highlighting
issues unique to grandparents who are acting as full time parents and carers
to their grandchildren.
2:To Campaign for a new type of allowance that will be paid to grandparents
and kinship carers that are caring for their grandchildren or relatives
children  on a full time basis, this benefit to be on par with the present
day foster allowances and be non means tested .
3:To campaign for a full care package to be put in place on the arrival of
any grandchild or grandchildren
4:To campaign for the rights of Grandparents to be given equal status as
foster carers, and equal financial recompense


5 To interact with other grandparent support groups in Great Britain and
maintain contact with other professional groups and people;

 

This site is managed by
Linda McEvilly & Amanda Site Admin