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Home-Start supports new grandparenting website- BeGrand
Read more about the launch of the BeGrand grandparents site below and an interview with one of our grandparent volunteers here
GRANDPARENTS KEY TO INSTILLING TRADITIONAL VALUES IN FAMILIES
· Over half of Brits learn respect and manners from their grandparents
· Davina McCall, Michael Palin and Esther Rantzen reveal importance of their grandparents on their lives
· Launch of new ‘destination’ website BeGrand.net for grandparents
Grandparents are taking the lead in teaching grandchildren a host of traditional values and are frequently acting as their confidants according to a new study out today commissioned to mark the launch of BeGrand.net, an important new online resource for grandparents providing information, advice and support to help them with every challenge they may face.
The study reveals that over half of adults in the UK (55%) say they have learnt respect and manners from their grandparents, and almost as many say they showed them the different between right and wrong (48%). The teaching of essential life skills continue with a quarter (24%) having been taught how to believe in themselves and almost a fifth (18%) shown how to cook by their grandmothers and grandfathers.
Furthermore, when it comes to the role the older generation play in their families’ lives, almost a third of grandchildren (31%) say their grandparents are like ‘second parents’ to them, more than one in seven (15%) say they are like ‘confidants’, and one in ten (10%) described their role as a ‘counsellor’ in their times of need.
As the structure of the British family becomes increasingly diverse, there has been a growing reliance on grandparents to help support their grandchildren’s upbringing, whether that’s financially, emotionally or otherwise. As such, the issue of grandparenting is a hot topic for all of the political parties ahead of the forthcoming election.
BeGrand.net has been designed to raise awareness of the significant part grandparents play in their contribution to family life and addresses serious issues like legal rights, through to fun things like activities to do with grandchildren on holiday.
Jackie Highe, author and spokesperson for BeGrand.net, said: “It is so important that we appreciate how much our grandparents can add to our lives and our research really highlights just how integral they are to supporting the family unit and society as a whole. The launch of BeGrand.net provides a much needed ‘destination website’ where grandparents can go online and share issues from the more serious legal and social problems to the every day advice.”
And it’s not only the man on the street who recognises the significant part grandmothers and grandfathers play in their contribution to family life , with celebrities such as Davina McCall, Michael Palin and Esther Rantzen also revealing the impact their grandparents made on their lives to mark the new initiative.
Davina McCall, TV presenter: “I owe my grandparents so much. They brought me up from 3. They taught me manners and good old fashioned morals. They looked after my great grandmother and as a child l loved living with my great granny!!! They also taught me that family is everything and Sunday lunch together is the LAW!!! “
Michael Palin, comedian, actor, writer: "Grandparents are more than just a back-up team for weary parents. They can be an immensely valuable part of a child's life and learning. And since I've had two of my own, I've realised that grand-children can be an equally valuable part of a grandparent’s life and learning. The two generations were made for each other."
Esther Rantzen, journalist and TV presenter: “There is huge value of an extended family, my Mother’s mother loved the company of her grandchildren and we saw her every week. She taught us songs and poems, riddles and children’s games that I have passed onto my own children. She was a formative influence on my life.”
Bel Mooney, Daily Mail columnist: ‘My grandparents' most important legacy is the belief that you always put your family first. They were ordinary Liverpool people with an extraordinary capacity for sacrifice, devotion, hard work, kindness, fun and tolerance - which are all essential ingredients of family life. As I get older I see them more clearly, and recognise how their influence turned my own parents into equally brilliant grandparents - and I just hope I am blessed with the chance to carry on the good work.’
Rt Hon Oliver Letwin MP, member of the Conservative Shadow Cabinet: "The most important thing I learned from my grandparents was that home-made biscuits are best."
Lord Chris Patten, Conservative Peer: "I only knew one of my grandparents; the others died before I was born. My surviving grandmother had a wonderful sense of humour, was constantly available to be teased and had a glass of Guinness at 11.00 every morning. I am not sure that this offers any lessons for life, although since she went on to a great age it presumably suggests, which we knew already, that Guinness is good for you."
The Sun's Dear Deidre (Sanders): “The best thing I learnt from my grandparents is the value of ages-old skills which connect back through the generations - sewing, darning (!), planting out, potting up, cooking from raw ingredients - and the joy of bread and dripping.”
Mark Curry, former Blue Peter Presenter: “Grandma Curry had been a dancer as a young girl so never emerged without full make up, hair done and smart clothes. She knew I would become a performer and told me that however scruffy I was indoors, OUTDOORS was the stage and I should always look the part.”
Richard Randall, 60 Minute Makeover presenter and home decor specialist: “I owe so much to my Grandma, and feel our closeness gave me so much strength. She was called Agnes and lived until she was 82. She was always dignified, sophisticated and glamorous, and had a wicked sense of humour! A lady who will always be my guiding light.”
Highe concluded: “It’s fantastic to see celebrities coming out in support of the grandparents’ role and it demonstrates just how much of an impact they can have over their grandchildren’s lives. We want BeGrand.net to give something back to the grandparenting community by giving them a voice to raise and share issues that are relevant to them.”
To visit the website, go to www.begrand.net
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Notes to editors
About Begrand.net
BeGrand.net is a publicly funded resource for grandparents to find information, advice and support on a whole host of topics, from serious issues like grandparents’ legal rights, through to fun things like activities to do with grandchildren.
BeGrand.net helps grandparents become part of an online community, connect with like-minded people and share their expertise, knowledge and ideas in a supportive environment.
To visit the website go to www.begrand.net
BeGrand.net has content covering every challenge that grandparents face– from articles on maintaining great relationships across the family to fun things to do without breaking the bank; advice on caring for children and keeping them safe – as well as information on everyday issues around growing up.
There’s also specialist advice, provided by The Grandparents’ Association, on the more serious social & legal issues around grandparenting. There are online advisers, offering one-to-one confidential advice.
The site’s been specially designed to be easy to access and use – and all content can be sorted by the age of your grandchild as well as by topic. If users register, they can also join forums, post comments and write their own blogs - sharing ideas about the issues that really matter to grandparents.
BeGrand.net is a partnership of the following organisations:
The Grandparent's Association - a registered charity. Its services include an advice and information line, welfare benefits advice, publications, support groups, and Grandparent and Toddler groups and mediation. It also campaigns for better support for grandparents and lobbies public bodies on their behalf.
Digital Unite - Digital Unite specialises in helping people over 50 use IT - from internet & email to social networking & blogs. It also organises the annual Silver Surfers Day.
Opportunity Links - Opportunity Links works with local and national government, developing innovative solutions for managing and delivering information services to families, young people and older people.
BeGrand.net pledges to . . . .
· To provide a ‘destination website’ for grandparents with quality, trustworthy information
We’re comprehensive – covering all aspects of grandparenting, from serious legal and social problems to mainstream, every day issues and experiences.
We’re focused on grandparents and their points of view. Though there’s information out there on childcare, it tends to be pointed at parents. In the same way, there are sites the help you make friends with other people caring for children, they tend to be pointed at mums.
· To facilitate a community where grandparents can talk to each other about what matters to them
We’re building a community. The site is all about getting grandparents to share ideas and support each other, in a safe and friendly environment. We want to give them easy tools and the confidence to use and shape our community as they want it to be.
· To provide 1-2-1 advice and support via online advisers
We’re providing an online resources & support centre – the main site is accessible 24 hours a day and there are online advisors who can provide confidential, personalized advice and support.
*Opinium Research carried out an online poll of 2169 British adults aged 18+ from 11th to 15th December 2009. This sample includes 1805 respondents who know or have known their grandparents and 652 grandparents. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.
About Jackie Highe
Jackie has had a highly successful career editing women’s magazines. She was Editor of “Parents Magazine”, followed by 14 years as Editor-in-Chief of “Bella”, the top-selling women’s weekly magazine during that time. Jackie and Brian, her husband of 42 years, have five granddaughters, aged between 11 and 4.
She is the author of two books; ‘Now, Where Did I Put My Glasses? Caring for your elderly parents, a practical and emotional lifeline’ published by Simon and Schuster 2008 and ‘The Modern Grandparents’ Guide’ published by Piatkus 2009.
For further information, please contact:
Chantal Heckford
Lansons Communications
0207 294 3630
Rachel O’Hare
Lansons Communications
0207 294 3625
Ellie Brooke
Lansons Communications
0207 566 9715
