Services & Support
Specialised services and immediate support assisting grandparent carers everyday.
GCWA has been supporting grandparent carers and those in their care since they began two decades ago.
OUR WORK
Immediate Support
These are supports which are available to assist grandparent carers in their everyday lives.
Op Shop
Furniture, clothing, toys and books are donated for members to access at the OpShop.
A network of generous and thoughtful locals donate various items. Originally, President Jan Standen would store these at her own house and distribute them at each meeting. At the Op Shop, now located in their Warwick Space, members can access donations and all proceeds go towards GCWA’s work.
Oz Harvest
Access to a weekly hearty meal, a box of groceries and an opportunity to socialise.
Every Friday, GCWA members can come to the Warwick Space and access a box of food delivered by OzHarvest. GCWA volunteer and member Maria, often provides a home cooked meal for the families who are picking up boxes – and invites them to stay for a chat and mingle with one another.
Resources
We provide immediate access to resources and information for grandparent carers.
Many of our members have first hand experience of how difficult it was to navigate systems and find information when they became grandparent carers. We have a collective experience and pass on our own learnings to every grandparent carer that walks through our door. We are also linked into support services who can provide further information that is family specific.
Safe Play Space
Our space provides a safe place for grandparent carers to bring their grandchildren to play on our equipment while they have a cup of tea.
Our centre was previously a childcare centre and is equipped with a fenced playground and indoor areas for grandchildren to play and socialise.
OUR WORK
Specialised services
These are services which are targeted at providing access to particular areas of need for grandparent carers.
The grandparent peer support
GCWA is peer led organisation – we can provide support through people who have been there before.
As GCWA member numbers grow, so does the size of our meetings and events. For those less comfortable sharing their stories in a group situation, we can sit down with you and provide support at a much more local and personal level – just get in touch and we will arrange to meet with you.
Support services
We understand the complexity of the support services required when you are a grandparent carer.
We aim to support families to navigate the services they need. GCWA provides access to counselling services and can arrange family specific financial wellbeing advice and legal support through HHG who provide a pro bono initial consultation.