Grandcare – towards a better future… Wanslea Family Services August 2008

1. Grandcare – towards a better future…Wanslea Family ServicesAugust 2008

2. Grandcare • Since establishment in 2002 the programme has grown in terms of the services it provides to Grandfamilies, funding it receives and community support. • The Grandcare Programme was recognised for its work in 2005 by the Western Australian Community Service Awards for innovative service delivery in a large organisation.

3. Grandcare Why Grandcare? • Recognition by the WA Office for Seniors Interests and volunteering that there was a growing need for a service that specifically catered for the needs of Grandparents caring for Grandchildren full time. • The Office funded the programme with a focus on the Perth metropolitan area. • Wanslea was overwhelmed by Grandparents contacting the services from around the state and Australia.

4. Grandcare The Human face of Grandcare…. • Peter and Michelle…… • Gary and Margaret • Dixie and family….

5. Grandcare What is Grandcare? • A ground-breaking WA service for Grandparents caring for grandchildren providing: • Advocacy • Support (groups & one to one) • Counselling • Networking (both by the service and Grandfamilies) • Information clearing house • One stop shop – a referral point

6. Grandcare Community Links • Wanslea recognised that demand for the service would require additional funding to deliver the scope and quality of service envisaged by the organisation. • A strategy was developed that focused on increasing community profile, financial and in kind support.

7. Grandcare Partnerships • Community partnerships established with service clubs, particularly Rotary and Soroptimist, who have championed Grandcare’s cause. • Local government authorities • West Coast Eagles • Foodbank • Centre link • The Department for Child Protection • Department for Communities • Curtin University of Technology

8. Grandcare Successful partnerships – how and why? • Some lessons learnt. • Barriers to potential partnerships • Facilitators to successful partnerships • Partnerships to be developed (e.g. more Aboriginal, multi cultural, rural and remote communities)

9. Grandcare A catalyst for change…… • Relationship with Curtin University of Technology starting to explore the issues of Grandparents. This research will further support the development of the programme (e.g. more funding) • A new website is being developed based on the empirical data collected by the Curtin/Grandcare team. • The new website will be a tool for additional data collection and topical surveys.

10. Grandcare Towards a better future….and not resting on our laurels!! • To date Grandcare has serviced over 900 Grandfamilies • Run over 250 groups • Conducted over 230 sessions of telephone counselling • Distributed 200 food hampers and Christmas hampers • Run over 15 training sessions • Had 35 newspaper articles/ radio and TV stories …and its just the beginning

11. Grandcare

12. Grandcare Future Directions • It would be nice to attract additional funding… • Maintain and develop Grandcare’s unique community profile and support network. • Using technology to support carers in the country – can’t be metrocentric (e.g. web and telephone based) • Aboriginal and multi-cultural Grandparents • More research • More partnerships and sponsorships • More recognition and awareness!!!

13. Thank you