Each year, we help thousands of grandparents raising their grandchildren and whānau care families. Facing challenging circumstances when the only alternative is foster care, they can struggle accessing additional income support, dealing with lawyers, social workers, Family Court, schooling, and health issues. It can also be overwhelming managing the children’s grief as well as their own.
A listening ear, support, information, and advice is vital. In most cases an advocate in their corner is also what they need. Someone who knows the law, what is available and how to get access to supports they need.
At Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust NZ (GRG), we provide these services to nearly 6,000 families along with trauma-informed care education programmes and a nationwide network of volunteer-led support groups that are designed specifically for them.
We understand their needs and what they are going through. We have 21 years’ experience, backed by extensive research. Conducted to inform national practice, policy, and law we have successfully advocated for significant changes to income support and child welfare laws over the past 15 years, resulting in greater equity and fairness for all children and youth in care.
But many challenges and barriers still exist for these caregiving families. We’d love you to be part of our mission to empower these heroes in our communities to raise healthy and resilient children and youth achieving positive outcomes in their lives!
