Supporting caring
Carers Queensland
Also known as the Queensland Council of Carers, Carers Queensland (Non-Queensland Government website) provides carers with information and services to support them in their caring role. They also work to increase awareness of carers and their issues. Carers provide unpaid support and assistance to a family member or friend who has a disability, physical or mental illness, or is frail aged. For information and support, carers can call the Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre between 9 am and 5pm, Monday to Friday on 1800 242 636.
Grandparents as carers
For many reasons, a number of grandparents are raising their grandchildren full-time and they do so without benefits such as legal aid and Medicare access that are only available to parents. The current system fails to recognise the unique circumstances of grandparents providing full-time care of their grandchildren and this is an issue that disproportionately affects older women and the children in their care. In addition, grandmothers are increasingly under pressure to help working parents meet the shortage in adequate or affordable childcare.
There are a range of programs, initiatives and organisations to help support grandparents who are bringing up young children, providing informal childcare on a regular basis, or caring for dependent adolescents.
The Queensland Government produced the brochure 'Grandparents: Grandparenting and Family Law' which provides useful legal information and contacts.
The Queensland Department of Communities is trialing methods of delivering respite to grandparents who are raising grandchildren. The Time for Grandparents program gives grandparents a break by providing grandchildren with places in camps and day activity programs. Some activities are also available for grandparents and grandchildren together. All activities in the program are provided free of charge. Call the Department of Communities' Seniors Enquiry Line on 1300 135 500 for information and bookings.
Grandparents and Grandchildren Society (GAGS) was founded by Deanne O'Keefe in 2002 in Noosa as a lobbying and advocacy group to address the many legal and financial issues impacting on grandparents' ability to provide care for their grandchildren. B. Williams (07) 5474 3705 is the Queensland contact person and can provide valuable information and resources for grandparents undertaking full-time care of their grandchildren. Sue Black is available 24 hours on 0401 969 343 and she is able to source, for grandparents, anything from movie tickets to furniture and bedding, and can provide contact details of legal, financial and medical professionals who offer voluntary or discounted services for 'grand-families' in need.
Grandparents Raising Own Grandchildren (GROG) is a Queensland organisation with a focus on local issues and providing Queensland-specific referral, support, social contact and networking for grandparents raising own grandchildren. Contact Beverley Schultz on (07) 5483 1212 for more information and contacts.
Off Our Rockers also provides support and information for grandparents without access to their grandchildren due to family breakdown. They meet on a monthly basis in Brisbane. Call (07) 3805 3885 or Gold Coast and Lismore (02) 6635 1373. Email glencom@ixa.net.au.
Last updated: 21 April 2008
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