Dear Friends, We are getting there.
Every penny we get is used for our campaign. We are downright volunteers mostly having had the problem of losing contact with our own grandchildren. There is no paid employees or expenses like buildings or anything like that and unlike other organisations we have no funding from the governments or social services to cow tow to, so we can be forthright in pursuing our goals.
Because of the generosity of our paying members we are just managing to weather the recession but we can do so much more if everyone on our books played fair and paid their membership fees and help to raise funds for the cause.. Every information pack we send to inquirers is free and we have no intentions of charging anybody for it. We know it is hard for everyone but what is dearest to your heart is it, your contact with your grandchildren and family harmony. Priorities is the word, think about it
With our forthrightness and honesty we have obtained the Charter for Grandchildren and Glasgow City Council has accepted it. These two steps in our campaign have been hard fought for with car boot sales, can rattling, demo’s and trips to the Scottish and Uk Parliaments. Constant meetings with MPs MSPs often with no results. This is all part of to be relevant in our grandchildren’s lives which I am personally dedicated to achieve.
The Charter for Grandchildren can make us relevant without the animosity from fathers and mothers if we had been given automatic rights to our grandchildren which was causing a divide and conquer scenario which is the last thing all of us want. Now we can honestly work in harmony with fathers and mothers to expose the common problem we all face is the unjust family laws of this country rather than everyone fighting against each other.
With the Charter for Grandchildren the children will have the right to have grandparents considered relevant in their lives in their best interests only especially by the professionals like social services who
are 85% the cause of exclusion because of their policy of costs before children’s & family welfare.
We need your help to end the misery that grandparents can put a full stop to.
The 4 year nightmare of abuse for little Emma.
The 4 year nightmare of abuse endured by a little girl called Emma is now over. Four years of hell because social services would not listen to her grandparents. Now the stepfather has been charged with abuse and the mother with neglect. At last putting an end to 4 years of horror the social services said was not happening. Emma has been disturbed by her experience and will need specialist help.
ONE NEGLECTED BRITISH CHILD DIES EVERY WEEK
This is unbelievable. The authorities should be ashamed of themselves for not using every resource available in the protection of children. It is well known that grandparents are first class for early detection of neglect and child abuse. The Charter for Grandchildren when adopted will ensure children has the best protection their grandparents can offer. Loving parents will be abhorred at these figures.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/145733/One-neglected-British-child-dies-every-week-
By Lucy Johnston
ONE neglected child is dying every week, a shocking study has revealed.
The report also shows that the same “failures and deficiencies” behind the tragic deaths are being repeated despite a string of high profile abuse cases, including baby Peter.
Carried out by Ofsted, the inquiry examined the deaths of 174 children known or believed to have occurred as a result of abuse or neglect during 2008 and 2009. It linked neglect to the deaths of 50 children last year – nearly one child every week.
The figures are being highlighted today as part of a joint Sunday Express and NSPCC crusade to ensure child neglect becomes a political priority in the run-up to the next election. Most cases involved children under five and 24 were killed by a parent or carer.
Some were smothered, abused or drowned, while others died of malnourishment or thirst.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Grandparents Apart UK Photo
Photo is the winners and finalists of the Community Champions Awards in Glasgow 25th March 2010.
Notice the handsome guy on the left in the wheelchair wearing a light green fleece .
That's Me.
Notice the handsome guy on the left in the wheelchair wearing a light green fleece .
That's Me.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Re: Charter for Grandchildren in Wales
Gwenda Thomas AM
Deputy Minister for Social Services
The National Assembly for Wales
Cardiff
Cardiff Bay
CF99 1NA
Re: Charter for Grandchildren
During the Business Statement on 23rd March I requested a Statement on the role of grandparents in safeguarding children in Wales.
The Minister for Business and Budget, Jane Hutt responded that I should write to you.
You will be aware that I have raised the issue of a Proposed Charter for Grandchildren with you previously.
I have now been contacted by the grandparents who advise that the step-father has been charged with Assault Occasionally Bodily Harm upon one child and Common Assault by Battery upon another.
It is reported that the mother has also been charged with wilful child neglect in respect of one of the children.
My constituent states “It returns to grandparents having no rights as we were told at the outset by the Child and Family Unit in Colwyn Bay, however had there been a Charter for Grandchildren in place that gave children the right to see their grandparents if appropriate then this case would have reached the protection of these children sooner.”
I would be grateful therefore if you could give this matter your further consideration and confirm your intended course of action so that broken families in conflict may be helped to mend.
Regards
Mark Isherwood AM
Shadow Minister for Social Justice and Housing
Deputy Minister for Social Services
The National Assembly for Wales
Cardiff
Cardiff Bay
CF99 1NA
Re: Charter for Grandchildren
During the Business Statement on 23rd March I requested a Statement on the role of grandparents in safeguarding children in Wales.
The Minister for Business and Budget, Jane Hutt responded that I should write to you.
You will be aware that I have raised the issue of a Proposed Charter for Grandchildren with you previously.
I have now been contacted by the grandparents who advise that the step-father has been charged with Assault Occasionally Bodily Harm upon one child and Common Assault by Battery upon another.
It is reported that the mother has also been charged with wilful child neglect in respect of one of the children.
My constituent states “It returns to grandparents having no rights as we were told at the outset by the Child and Family Unit in Colwyn Bay, however had there been a Charter for Grandchildren in place that gave children the right to see their grandparents if appropriate then this case would have reached the protection of these children sooner.”
I would be grateful therefore if you could give this matter your further consideration and confirm your intended course of action so that broken families in conflict may be helped to mend.
Regards
Mark Isherwood AM
Shadow Minister for Social Justice and Housing
The Herald wants your story.
Hi James
It was good to talk to you just now and thank you for your help with this.
I am looking to speak to people who have a son or daughter who has separated from their partner and can talk about what it was like supporting their child through the process of divorce, in particular how easily they were able to get information (about things like child support and access rights) to give to their divorcing child.
Our story is about how people who are divorcing tend to turn for advice to their own parents first. Couples with children whose relationships are breaking up are as likely to discuss separation issues with their parents as they are with professional advisers, including solicitors. Child Maintenance Options – the free and impartial information and support service for separating people - have conducted a survey on this.
I'm keen to talk to someone who has experience of supporting their child in this way. I can be contacted on 07764 250 260.
Many thanks
Rebecca
Rebecca.McQuillan@theherald.co.uk
It was good to talk to you just now and thank you for your help with this.
I am looking to speak to people who have a son or daughter who has separated from their partner and can talk about what it was like supporting their child through the process of divorce, in particular how easily they were able to get information (about things like child support and access rights) to give to their divorcing child.
Our story is about how people who are divorcing tend to turn for advice to their own parents first. Couples with children whose relationships are breaking up are as likely to discuss separation issues with their parents as they are with professional advisers, including solicitors. Child Maintenance Options – the free and impartial information and support service for separating people - have conducted a survey on this.
I'm keen to talk to someone who has experience of supporting their child in this way. I can be contacted on 07764 250 260.
Many thanks
Rebecca
Rebecca.McQuillan@theherald.co.uk
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/mar/24/social-worker-abuse-online
Abuse of 'baby-snatcher' social workers finds an outlet online
Social workers involved in sensitive child protection cases are being targeted as angry families vent their fury on blogs
o Rachel Williams
o The Guardian, Wednesday 24 March 2010
The hounding of social workers by the press for being "baby-snatchers" if they take children into care is a predictable story. But now such persecution has taken a new twist with online campaigns by families protesting about child protection intervention.
A proliferation of blogs and pages on social networking sites have sprung up. In one example, a Suffolk family claim they were forced to give up their child for adoption, with no evidence of abuse. They went to Spain before the birth of their second child, who is now in the care of Spanish foster carers acting on information from Suffolk social workers.
In some cases, the blogs make for uncomfortable reading. Social workers and managers are named and vilified, accusations are hurled at councils, and court injunctions banning the identification of the families and children are flouted.
According to Hilton Dawson, chief executive of the British Association of Social Workers, websites devoted to attacking social workers are a growing problem. "They illustrate the difficulties of the social workers who are damned when they do and damned when they don't," he says. "We get many complaints from people who feel very threatened by the publication of sometimes vitriolic criticism of them, and really very unpleasant personal abuse."
Managers are almost powerless to stop what Simon White, director of children's services in Suffolk, describes as "floods of information about the council that is completely false and misleading".
Some of the blogs are hosted in the US, where the constitution's first amendment, guaranteeing the right to free speech, makes them all but untouchable.
White's concerns about the content range from the impact on the targeted social workers and the reputation of the council to the effect the content of the sites may have on the cases and the families involved. "There's quite a lot of abusive and personal stuff aimed at named individuals," he says. "Some is clearly defamatory, and obviously we have duties to those staff. And when you get into the wilder edges of it, you are sometimes worried about their personal safety."
White also fears that an online campaign might be contagious. "If it started to become commonplace that whenever we did a pre-birth conference, families would consider leaving the country, it would force a change in practice," he says. "We'd have to be much less open with families."
One Suffolk employee who has been named on a blog says the experience is not just personally upsetting but has a knock-on effect on other cases. "Other families are aware of what's being said and they will bring it up, and that's difficult, especially when people may be making sensitive decisions," the employee says.
The problem of online hate campaigns is not limited to Suffolk. White knows of at least three other councils that have been similarly targeted, and a quick trawl of the internet reveals links to families around the country keen to tell their stories. Myths about social services – that they get financial rewards for every adopted child, or that they are involved in conspiracies to remove families' children – are perpetuated.
"The vast majority of what we do is actually allowing families to stay with their kids, even when we've got very serious concerns," White says. "There were 38 adoptions in Suffolk last year. Of children who entered the care system, 45% went back to their parents in the same period."
White does not think there is much that can be done about the way information spreads, but he would like action beyond the individual local authority when allegations about conspiracies or financial inducements are made. "The profession, or the government, needs to respond," he says. "They need to defend the arrangements and processes, and put right mistakes and misapprehensions."
The BASW works constantly to address the myths about social work, Dawson says. He has recently written to every local authority in the country offering to help them communicate to communities and the local media what social workers do.
At a time when councils are struggling to recruit social workers, another reminder of the pressures of the job is the last thing they need. "This work is immensely demanding, personally and professionally, and it's difficult to retain staff at the front end," the Suffolk employee says. "Staff are concerned that the same sort of thing could happen to them."
Abuse of 'baby-snatcher' social workers finds an outlet online
Social workers involved in sensitive child protection cases are being targeted as angry families vent their fury on blogs
o Rachel Williams
o The Guardian, Wednesday 24 March 2010
The hounding of social workers by the press for being "baby-snatchers" if they take children into care is a predictable story. But now such persecution has taken a new twist with online campaigns by families protesting about child protection intervention.
A proliferation of blogs and pages on social networking sites have sprung up. In one example, a Suffolk family claim they were forced to give up their child for adoption, with no evidence of abuse. They went to Spain before the birth of their second child, who is now in the care of Spanish foster carers acting on information from Suffolk social workers.
In some cases, the blogs make for uncomfortable reading. Social workers and managers are named and vilified, accusations are hurled at councils, and court injunctions banning the identification of the families and children are flouted.
According to Hilton Dawson, chief executive of the British Association of Social Workers, websites devoted to attacking social workers are a growing problem. "They illustrate the difficulties of the social workers who are damned when they do and damned when they don't," he says. "We get many complaints from people who feel very threatened by the publication of sometimes vitriolic criticism of them, and really very unpleasant personal abuse."
Managers are almost powerless to stop what Simon White, director of children's services in Suffolk, describes as "floods of information about the council that is completely false and misleading".
Some of the blogs are hosted in the US, where the constitution's first amendment, guaranteeing the right to free speech, makes them all but untouchable.
White's concerns about the content range from the impact on the targeted social workers and the reputation of the council to the effect the content of the sites may have on the cases and the families involved. "There's quite a lot of abusive and personal stuff aimed at named individuals," he says. "Some is clearly defamatory, and obviously we have duties to those staff. And when you get into the wilder edges of it, you are sometimes worried about their personal safety."
White also fears that an online campaign might be contagious. "If it started to become commonplace that whenever we did a pre-birth conference, families would consider leaving the country, it would force a change in practice," he says. "We'd have to be much less open with families."
One Suffolk employee who has been named on a blog says the experience is not just personally upsetting but has a knock-on effect on other cases. "Other families are aware of what's being said and they will bring it up, and that's difficult, especially when people may be making sensitive decisions," the employee says.
The problem of online hate campaigns is not limited to Suffolk. White knows of at least three other councils that have been similarly targeted, and a quick trawl of the internet reveals links to families around the country keen to tell their stories. Myths about social services – that they get financial rewards for every adopted child, or that they are involved in conspiracies to remove families' children – are perpetuated.
"The vast majority of what we do is actually allowing families to stay with their kids, even when we've got very serious concerns," White says. "There were 38 adoptions in Suffolk last year. Of children who entered the care system, 45% went back to their parents in the same period."
White does not think there is much that can be done about the way information spreads, but he would like action beyond the individual local authority when allegations about conspiracies or financial inducements are made. "The profession, or the government, needs to respond," he says. "They need to defend the arrangements and processes, and put right mistakes and misapprehensions."
The BASW works constantly to address the myths about social work, Dawson says. He has recently written to every local authority in the country offering to help them communicate to communities and the local media what social workers do.
At a time when councils are struggling to recruit social workers, another reminder of the pressures of the job is the last thing they need. "This work is immensely demanding, personally and professionally, and it's difficult to retain staff at the front end," the Suffolk employee says. "Staff are concerned that the same sort of thing could happen to them."
Friday, March 19, 2010
Glasgow Evening Times Awards.
Glasgow Evening Times Award.
Grandparents Apart UK www.grandparentsapart.co.uk has been shortlisted to a list of 3 groups for a Glasgow Evening Times Award.
So come along and give us your support.
The final will be held on Tonight Thursday 25 March 2010 @ from 6.00pm in the-
Penilee Community Centre
10 Gleddoch Road
Glasgow, Lanarkshire, G52 4BD
0141 882 3309
Directions Copy & Paste.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&source=hp&cr=countryUK|countryGB&oq=&gs_rfai=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=penilee+community+centre&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=penilee+community+centre&hnear=Scotland,+Glasgow&cid=0,0,399886332663073070&ei=FFeiS6--EJPu0gS5mPHwCQ&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=4&ved=0CBoQnwIwAw
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Politics of the Charter for Grandchildren.
Will our grandchildren ever benefit from it?
No Scottish political party except the pensioners party (SSCUP) has shown much enthusiasm for helping our grandchildren benefit from the role grandparents can play in their lives. Grandparents are excluded by law and a multitude of case histories and petitions motivated the then Scottish Executive to produce the Charter for Grandchildren.
It was created as advisory with no bite to it and has been completely ignored by the professionals working in the welfare of children. Every day we hear of grandchildren still being cut of from their grandparents love and protection. The governments past and present have failed miserably We can only come to the conclusion The Charter for Grandchildren was just created without any real attempt to improve the lives of our grandchildren just to shut us up. But that is not going to happen.
The present government had a couple of SNP MSPs from our area in Glasgow and Kilmarnock Aberdeen show some interest but they soon faded away when they were asked to do something positive. In fact the SNP not only has shown little time for the Charter for Grandchildren but deliberately got shot of it by passing the buck for its administration down to the local authorities.
Glasgow City Chambers, In power there is the same political party that created the Charter for Grandchildren very quickly voted to accept the Charter for Grandchild and passed it to the DPC committee which is I am informed is another way of shelving the problem as they will need too analise the charter to see what can be used although it was the same government who created it with their own lawyers in a stakeholders group in the best interests of the children. So, what is there to analise?
We have asked all the questions of when it will be settled but have had no reply from any councillor.
Children are still not enjoying the protection and care their grandparents can give them because of these delays and it’s a disgrace.
Jimmy Deuchars
Grandparents Apart UK
22 Alness crescent
Glasgow G52 1PJ
0141 882 5658
http://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk
No Scottish political party except the pensioners party (SSCUP) has shown much enthusiasm for helping our grandchildren benefit from the role grandparents can play in their lives. Grandparents are excluded by law and a multitude of case histories and petitions motivated the then Scottish Executive to produce the Charter for Grandchildren.
It was created as advisory with no bite to it and has been completely ignored by the professionals working in the welfare of children. Every day we hear of grandchildren still being cut of from their grandparents love and protection. The governments past and present have failed miserably We can only come to the conclusion The Charter for Grandchildren was just created without any real attempt to improve the lives of our grandchildren just to shut us up. But that is not going to happen.
The present government had a couple of SNP MSPs from our area in Glasgow and Kilmarnock Aberdeen show some interest but they soon faded away when they were asked to do something positive. In fact the SNP not only has shown little time for the Charter for Grandchildren but deliberately got shot of it by passing the buck for its administration down to the local authorities.
Glasgow City Chambers, In power there is the same political party that created the Charter for Grandchildren very quickly voted to accept the Charter for Grandchild and passed it to the DPC committee which is I am informed is another way of shelving the problem as they will need too analise the charter to see what can be used although it was the same government who created it with their own lawyers in a stakeholders group in the best interests of the children. So, what is there to analise?
We have asked all the questions of when it will be settled but have had no reply from any councillor.
Children are still not enjoying the protection and care their grandparents can give them because of these delays and it’s a disgrace.
Jimmy Deuchars
Grandparents Apart UK
22 Alness crescent
Glasgow G52 1PJ
0141 882 5658
http://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk
Monday, March 15, 2010
How to reduce the Legal Aid Bill.
The Government themselves are to blame for the Legal Aid Bill being so high with their onesided unfair family laws. Funded Woman’s organisations are well known to coax mothers on how to get around equal parenting.
The Legal Aid Bill would be reduced greatly if Mediation was made compulsary enabling family cases to be kept out of court.
Tougher sentences on non compliance of court orders would send a message that Family Law cannot be flouted so easily.
The Charter for Grandchildren being mandatory adopted would reduce the need for legal aid for grandparents to be recognised more in their grandchildren's lives.
tp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7009686.stm
by Jackie Storer
Political reporter, BBC News at the Labour conference
The legal aid bill for England and Wales is the highest in the world and it has to come down, Justice Secretary Jack Straw has warned lawyers.
He told a fringe meeting at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth that legal aid costs had risen from £138m in 1980 to £2.2bn two years ago.
He urged the legal profession to help him find out why England and Wales spends so much more than other nations.
Senior barristers say the rise is down to the range and complexity of cases.
Mr Straw told the Society of Labour Lawyers it could not be right that in England and Wales £34 was spent per head on legal aid, compared with £10 in New Zealand, £7 in the Irish Republic, £4 in Germany, £3 in France and £1 in Sweden. 'Work with me' He said the "astonishing" increase in the cost of legal aid had also spurred a rise in the numbers of lawyers and their incomes.
Mr Straw stressed that he was "determined to protect the budget of the court service", adding that he had "no intention of raiding" it to pay for legal aid. But he told the lawyers: "The message I bring out here is that the profession as a whole has got to work with me to find out why our spending is so much greater than other countries - and how we can reduce it." He said efforts needed to be made to improve processes within the legal system and increase efficiencies to reduce the costs.
Criminal offences
But Stephen Hockman QC, a former chairman of the Bar, said: "Legal aid has increased because of the range and the complexity of the work."
There had been an increased need for legal help for families and a rise in the number of criminal offences, he said.
A number of legal aid lawyers worked "very, very hard on behalf of their clients for remuneration that's many times less" than if they had been working in private practice, he added
The Legal Aid Bill would be reduced greatly if Mediation was made compulsary enabling family cases to be kept out of court.
Tougher sentences on non compliance of court orders would send a message that Family Law cannot be flouted so easily.
The Charter for Grandchildren being mandatory adopted would reduce the need for legal aid for grandparents to be recognised more in their grandchildren's lives.
tp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7009686.stm
by Jackie Storer
Political reporter, BBC News at the Labour conference
The legal aid bill for England and Wales is the highest in the world and it has to come down, Justice Secretary Jack Straw has warned lawyers.
He told a fringe meeting at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth that legal aid costs had risen from £138m in 1980 to £2.2bn two years ago.
He urged the legal profession to help him find out why England and Wales spends so much more than other nations.
Senior barristers say the rise is down to the range and complexity of cases.
Mr Straw told the Society of Labour Lawyers it could not be right that in England and Wales £34 was spent per head on legal aid, compared with £10 in New Zealand, £7 in the Irish Republic, £4 in Germany, £3 in France and £1 in Sweden. 'Work with me' He said the "astonishing" increase in the cost of legal aid had also spurred a rise in the numbers of lawyers and their incomes.
Mr Straw stressed that he was "determined to protect the budget of the court service", adding that he had "no intention of raiding" it to pay for legal aid. But he told the lawyers: "The message I bring out here is that the profession as a whole has got to work with me to find out why our spending is so much greater than other countries - and how we can reduce it." He said efforts needed to be made to improve processes within the legal system and increase efficiencies to reduce the costs.
Criminal offences
But Stephen Hockman QC, a former chairman of the Bar, said: "Legal aid has increased because of the range and the complexity of the work."
There had been an increased need for legal help for families and a rise in the number of criminal offences, he said.
A number of legal aid lawyers worked "very, very hard on behalf of their clients for remuneration that's many times less" than if they had been working in private practice, he added
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The BBC Big Question on Fathers
We are an organisation that works purely in the best interests of the chiland favours not one side or the other.
We found that a charter for fathers was necessary because of the bias towards men by Woman’s Aid
The Charter for Fathers.
Domestic violence
Lately there has been a lot of publicity about violence on women.
Domestic violence is terrible and we are totally against any kind of violence but it is not only confined to men hitting women. Domestic violence against boys and men by women is fast becoming just as bad. It is well known that mothers are more likely to assault children than men. The other day I was in a big shop and a mother was battering hell out of her wee boy it was full of women and not one of them turned an eye. I said that was a bit O.T.T but I was told to go a place I will not mention and the wee soul was dragged out. If that was a man he would have been reported and ended up in the pokey.
I have created The Charter for Fathers in an effort to stop fathers walking into a trap when he is confronted with “your not seeing your kids” especially when he has done no wrong to them. A woman’s group called Woman’s Aid condemned me for the Charter for Fathers. One of our grandparents went to a woman’s meeting and left disgusted when all men were branded as a bad word. The same group told a lady who was looking for advice that he should say her husband was violent to her; it would be easier to leave him and get everyone on her side. This attitude is detrimental to any children involved.
In our eyes domestic violence should be tackled with honesty and not fantasy by fanatical men haters who use their children as weapons against men and their family like grandparents who have done no wrong.
‘The Charter for Fathers’
(Avoiding Conflict, Protecting children)
Separation and divorce can be a nasty and bitter experience for every one concerned especially the children. 90% of fathers lose out but it can happen to mothers too.. You would not believe your new loving sweetheart, presently telling you that “I will always be yours”, could be anything else but loving and gentle.
In our experience in dealing with grandparents that are prevented from contact with their grandchildren is that there is at least one parent involved too. We have come to the conclusion that both are inseparable and in the end it is the children we care for in the conflict of hatred, spite and revenge that ruins their lives.
We just hope you will not experience any of these horrors but! Some of you certainly will. Too often we have heard “I just can’t believe it, that she/he could go to these extremes like telling lies about domestic violence and using the children for revenge and blackmail to get back at me for their own selfish means”.
If you are experiencing marital problems or thinking of separating get in touch with a family group for advice. Do not delay and do not try to work it out yourself or force your will on anyone. Contact any of us listed on the contacts list before you do anything, and we mean anything. If we can’t help we will know a man that can.
1. Urgent! Firstly contact an outside family agency, someone not involved with the family and keep contact throughout. You must resolve the situation without any aggression or incidents or you will fail. If you don’t heed this you will possibly lose your children as well.
2. You will be too emotional to handle this on your own. Speak to someone in a help group before
contacting anyone you are in conflict with..
3. Do not swear or raise your voice or obstruct in any way. if you do come in contact with your ex-partner or their family, exit stage left.
4. If the police become involved move away as directed immediately. The police have no stomach for family problems. Do not argue or try to reason as you will get removed and possibly charged with breach or harassment and it will never be removed from your record, even if you are innocent. It could be used against you if courts or Social Services get involved. So don’t give them any excuse or you will be indefensible and nobody can help. You have been warned!
5. You will have to fight for any rights you do have regarding your children. It is equal on paper but don’t be fooled by this, in reality if you don’t live with your children, in the eyes of Social services, schools and the police you have no rights at all. Always have witnesses to everything you do and record everything in a diary.
6. If you need a solicitor make sure they are family law specialists as others could possibly take your case and lack the expertise. Be prepared to do most of the case work yourself, they are your children, make sure you get things right, you will only get one chance.
7. Mediation has resolved many disputes before a molehill becomes a mountain, before it goes into the real slanging match with accusing and condemning in court. You don’t want to be the cause of them saying, “You are angry and aggressive so I won’t attend mediation”. Give them no excuses to refuse to attend. Make sure that the mediation is provided by an independent organisation like Family Mediation. They ask for donations only. You will find them in your local phone book or computer.
8. It has been reported that the parent with residency, man or woman can be guilty of false accusations so be prepared to find yourself falsely accused and branded as:-
a) Violent b) Controlling c)Abusive d)Aggressive c) Sexual abuse.
All of these will be used to alienate you from your children.
9. Above all try and gain agreement through mediation without involvement of lawyers, courts, police or Social Services. If you gain a court order for contact it is not always complied with and is often not enforced making a mockery of our family laws. Your children have nothing to gain by these agencies involvement and very real significant harm can come of it.
10. Seek help as soon you can from a help group and keep in touch with at least one of their members and their meetings.
Produced by The Grandparents Apart Organisation. UK, Kilmarnock and Wales.
22 Alness CrescentGlasgow G52 1PJ. 0141 882 5658
www.grandparentsapart.co.uk
We found that a charter for fathers was necessary because of the bias towards men by Woman’s Aid
The Charter for Fathers.
Domestic violence
Lately there has been a lot of publicity about violence on women.
Domestic violence is terrible and we are totally against any kind of violence but it is not only confined to men hitting women. Domestic violence against boys and men by women is fast becoming just as bad. It is well known that mothers are more likely to assault children than men. The other day I was in a big shop and a mother was battering hell out of her wee boy it was full of women and not one of them turned an eye. I said that was a bit O.T.T but I was told to go a place I will not mention and the wee soul was dragged out. If that was a man he would have been reported and ended up in the pokey.
I have created The Charter for Fathers in an effort to stop fathers walking into a trap when he is confronted with “your not seeing your kids” especially when he has done no wrong to them. A woman’s group called Woman’s Aid condemned me for the Charter for Fathers. One of our grandparents went to a woman’s meeting and left disgusted when all men were branded as a bad word. The same group told a lady who was looking for advice that he should say her husband was violent to her; it would be easier to leave him and get everyone on her side. This attitude is detrimental to any children involved.
In our eyes domestic violence should be tackled with honesty and not fantasy by fanatical men haters who use their children as weapons against men and their family like grandparents who have done no wrong.
‘The Charter for Fathers’
(Avoiding Conflict, Protecting children)
Separation and divorce can be a nasty and bitter experience for every one concerned especially the children. 90% of fathers lose out but it can happen to mothers too.. You would not believe your new loving sweetheart, presently telling you that “I will always be yours”, could be anything else but loving and gentle.
In our experience in dealing with grandparents that are prevented from contact with their grandchildren is that there is at least one parent involved too. We have come to the conclusion that both are inseparable and in the end it is the children we care for in the conflict of hatred, spite and revenge that ruins their lives.
We just hope you will not experience any of these horrors but! Some of you certainly will. Too often we have heard “I just can’t believe it, that she/he could go to these extremes like telling lies about domestic violence and using the children for revenge and blackmail to get back at me for their own selfish means”.
If you are experiencing marital problems or thinking of separating get in touch with a family group for advice. Do not delay and do not try to work it out yourself or force your will on anyone. Contact any of us listed on the contacts list before you do anything, and we mean anything. If we can’t help we will know a man that can.
1. Urgent! Firstly contact an outside family agency, someone not involved with the family and keep contact throughout. You must resolve the situation without any aggression or incidents or you will fail. If you don’t heed this you will possibly lose your children as well.
2. You will be too emotional to handle this on your own. Speak to someone in a help group before
contacting anyone you are in conflict with..
3. Do not swear or raise your voice or obstruct in any way. if you do come in contact with your ex-partner or their family, exit stage left.
4. If the police become involved move away as directed immediately. The police have no stomach for family problems. Do not argue or try to reason as you will get removed and possibly charged with breach or harassment and it will never be removed from your record, even if you are innocent. It could be used against you if courts or Social Services get involved. So don’t give them any excuse or you will be indefensible and nobody can help. You have been warned!
5. You will have to fight for any rights you do have regarding your children. It is equal on paper but don’t be fooled by this, in reality if you don’t live with your children, in the eyes of Social services, schools and the police you have no rights at all. Always have witnesses to everything you do and record everything in a diary.
6. If you need a solicitor make sure they are family law specialists as others could possibly take your case and lack the expertise. Be prepared to do most of the case work yourself, they are your children, make sure you get things right, you will only get one chance.
7. Mediation has resolved many disputes before a molehill becomes a mountain, before it goes into the real slanging match with accusing and condemning in court. You don’t want to be the cause of them saying, “You are angry and aggressive so I won’t attend mediation”. Give them no excuses to refuse to attend. Make sure that the mediation is provided by an independent organisation like Family Mediation. They ask for donations only. You will find them in your local phone book or computer.
8. It has been reported that the parent with residency, man or woman can be guilty of false accusations so be prepared to find yourself falsely accused and branded as:-
a) Violent b) Controlling c)Abusive d)Aggressive c) Sexual abuse.
All of these will be used to alienate you from your children.
9. Above all try and gain agreement through mediation without involvement of lawyers, courts, police or Social Services. If you gain a court order for contact it is not always complied with and is often not enforced making a mockery of our family laws. Your children have nothing to gain by these agencies involvement and very real significant harm can come of it.
10. Seek help as soon you can from a help group and keep in touch with at least one of their members and their meetings.
Produced by The Grandparents Apart Organisation. UK, Kilmarnock and Wales.
22 Alness CrescentGlasgow G52 1PJ. 0141 882 5658
www.grandparentsapart.co.uk
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Evening Times Edinburgh News CASE STUDY: JIMMY DEUCHARS
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/gina-davidson/-Gina-Davidson-Grandparents-do.5041275.jp
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/features/they-re-making-govan-greater-1.1012846
Evening Times 12th March 2010-03-13
CASE STUDY: JIMMY DEUCHARS
Mosspark grandad Jimmy Deuchars has few fond memories when he thinks back to the fight he and his wife Margaret endured to see their grandchildren. The couple’s daughter Susan, 25, died from breast cancer in 1993 and soon after they lost touch with their son-in-law who remarried and moved to Liverpool, taking his two daughters.
“You’re devastated when you realise you’ve no rights to your grandchildren and no-one to give us advice,” says Jimmy, 65, a former taxi driver. “There wasn’t anything except lawyers, so we started a group to help others and ourselves.”
Since 2000, the couple have battled to expand the work and profile of Grandparents Apart UK, a charity which offers support to grandparents affected by separation and campaigns for legal rights. It now counsels families across the country and offers a listening ear and advice and advocates mediation services.
Jimmy added: “Mediation solved our problem, so I don’t see why it can’t solve most problems.”
Jimmy and Margaret now have regular contact with their granddaughters Joanne, 18, and Nicola, 16, who still live in Liverpool, and often make 850-mile round trips to visit them.
Jimmy, who had to give up driving because of severe arthritis, recently fought back to health from aggressive bowel cancer after an operation to remove three-quarters of his bowel – if he hadn’t, he had two years to live.
He continues to run meetings in Govan and co-wrote a book, Grandparents Speak Out For Vulnerable Children.
Much of Grandparents Apart’s work centres on lobbying for grandparents’ rights, and it was invited by the Scottish Executive to help compile a Charter For Grandchildren, recommendations to be considered by Glasgow City Council.
“When my daughter died and the children were taken away, we did what she wanted us to do, and we’ve fulfilled the need for grandparents to be in grandchildren’s lives,” said Jimmy.
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/features/they-re-making-govan-greater-1.1012846
Evening Times 12th March 2010-03-13
CASE STUDY: JIMMY DEUCHARS
Mosspark grandad Jimmy Deuchars has few fond memories when he thinks back to the fight he and his wife Margaret endured to see their grandchildren. The couple’s daughter Susan, 25, died from breast cancer in 1993 and soon after they lost touch with their son-in-law who remarried and moved to Liverpool, taking his two daughters.
“You’re devastated when you realise you’ve no rights to your grandchildren and no-one to give us advice,” says Jimmy, 65, a former taxi driver. “There wasn’t anything except lawyers, so we started a group to help others and ourselves.”
Since 2000, the couple have battled to expand the work and profile of Grandparents Apart UK, a charity which offers support to grandparents affected by separation and campaigns for legal rights. It now counsels families across the country and offers a listening ear and advice and advocates mediation services.
Jimmy added: “Mediation solved our problem, so I don’t see why it can’t solve most problems.”
Jimmy and Margaret now have regular contact with their granddaughters Joanne, 18, and Nicola, 16, who still live in Liverpool, and often make 850-mile round trips to visit them.
Jimmy, who had to give up driving because of severe arthritis, recently fought back to health from aggressive bowel cancer after an operation to remove three-quarters of his bowel – if he hadn’t, he had two years to live.
He continues to run meetings in Govan and co-wrote a book, Grandparents Speak Out For Vulnerable Children.
Much of Grandparents Apart’s work centres on lobbying for grandparents’ rights, and it was invited by the Scottish Executive to help compile a Charter For Grandchildren, recommendations to be considered by Glasgow City Council.
“When my daughter died and the children were taken away, we did what she wanted us to do, and we’ve fulfilled the need for grandparents to be in grandchildren’s lives,” said Jimmy.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The Chapter for Grandchildren Acceptance
A young mother contacted me concerned that Glasgow Council’s acceptance of the Charter for Grandchildren would mean that her child’s grandparents could tell her what to do with her children. Please be assured this is not the case. Acceptance of the charter for Grandchildren does not in any way overrule the rights of the parents.
This acceptance of The Charter for Grandchildren will mean professionals who work in the welfare of children must look more closely or explain why not at the role grandparents can play in children’s lives, rather than ignore them because involving them may be too much bother. It is children we are talking about not commodities and they deserve the best.
Our stance as Grandparents Apart UK is strictly the ‘Best Interests of the Child’ and nothing else. With this in mind we favour equal parenting with grandparents next in line when parents are unavailable to care for any child, to prevent the child going into care or being looked after by strangers. Grandparents in the main have reared a family and don’t particularly want to start raising a family again, but want to end the unnecessary division of families by professionals.
The mother was concerned her son would be forced to be with his grandparents more often against his wishes. This is not the aim of the Charter. The answer here could be Mediation.
Mediation can help all involved reach their own agreement about what is best for your child and make reasonable arrangements. An agreement can always be made if everyone puts their heart into what is best for the child. When agreements are reached you can relax and your child will relax as well? Every situation is different but if you refuse to attend mediation it could be assumed that you selfishly want overall control and you are not thinking about what is best for your own child.
We only want contact to be part of our grandchildren’s lives and to know they are well and happy. Grandparents love to see their grandchildren, but are equally happy when they go home safe and sound.
Jimmy Deuchars
Grandparents Apart UK
22 Alness Crescent
Glasgow G52 1PJ
0141 882 5658
http://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk
This acceptance of The Charter for Grandchildren will mean professionals who work in the welfare of children must look more closely or explain why not at the role grandparents can play in children’s lives, rather than ignore them because involving them may be too much bother. It is children we are talking about not commodities and they deserve the best.
Our stance as Grandparents Apart UK is strictly the ‘Best Interests of the Child’ and nothing else. With this in mind we favour equal parenting with grandparents next in line when parents are unavailable to care for any child, to prevent the child going into care or being looked after by strangers. Grandparents in the main have reared a family and don’t particularly want to start raising a family again, but want to end the unnecessary division of families by professionals.
The mother was concerned her son would be forced to be with his grandparents more often against his wishes. This is not the aim of the Charter. The answer here could be Mediation.
Mediation can help all involved reach their own agreement about what is best for your child and make reasonable arrangements. An agreement can always be made if everyone puts their heart into what is best for the child. When agreements are reached you can relax and your child will relax as well? Every situation is different but if you refuse to attend mediation it could be assumed that you selfishly want overall control and you are not thinking about what is best for your own child.
We only want contact to be part of our grandchildren’s lives and to know they are well and happy. Grandparents love to see their grandchildren, but are equally happy when they go home safe and sound.
Jimmy Deuchars
Grandparents Apart UK
22 Alness Crescent
Glasgow G52 1PJ
0141 882 5658
http://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Scottish Children's Star & Human Rights
Dear Children'e Tsar.
would you please cobsider giving the following your full support for children.
Jimmy Deuchars
Grandparents Apart UK
22 Alness crescent
Glasgow G52 1PJ
0141 882 5658
http://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk
Glasgow City Councillors Vote “Yes” for
‘The Charter for Grandchildren’
A big unanimous “yes” vote plus a standing ovation for Grandparents Apart UK by Glasgow City Councillors on 18th February 2010 to accept ‘The Charter for Grandchildren’ for mandatory use by professionals that work in the welfare of children. By this historic vote brave Glasgow Councillors have opened up a whole new aspect of child care and protection plus huge savings on the public purse.
The Policy Development Committee (PDC) in Glasgow City Chambers will now decide to accept parts or all of the Charter. The Charter was produced by the legal team of a Scottish Government on evidence produced by a stakeholders group of which Grandparents Apart UK were a part of.
What the Charter for Grandchildren will do for Grandchildren
Our first and foremost consideration is the welfare of our grandchildren.
Through our personal experience of having nowhere to turn to for support Grandparents Apart UK was born. We send information about what can be done and have meetings to pass on our experiences and support each other. Our helpline for counselling has enabled thousands of grandparents to get back into their grandchildren’s lives.
Grandparents by law are regarded as irrelevant persons in their grandchildren’s lives therefore are often excluded from what is happening to their grandchildren by professionals like social services. Governments are happy to say that grandparents are very important in children’s lives, but they need to back their words with actions.
The Charter for Grandchildren was created by The Scottish Executive in answer to our protesting and lobbying but it is advisory only so doesn’t have the proper power to help our grandchildren. Professionals can ignore the Charter because it is only advisory and it seems too much bother for them to change their policies to accept it.
The present Scottish Government passed the responsibility for the Charter to local area and regional services. Glasgow City Chambers has now reacted by accepting The closer scrutiny to decide whether part, or all of the Charter will be accepted. It was created by The Scottish Executive in the best interest of children so we don’t see any logical reason why any part of it should be disregarded.
Clearly the Charter for Grandchildren was created to promote children’s best interests and to ensure professionals look more closely at the role grandparents can play in their grandchildren’s lives. This would put grandparents in a more relevant position in their grandchildren’s lives, meaning more inclusion in decisions concerning the welfare of the children or an explanation of any decision which denies children the benefit of that role.
Jimmy Deuchars
Grandparents Apart UK
22 Alness crescent
Glasgow G52 1PJ
0141 882 5658
http://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk
would you please cobsider giving the following your full support for children.
Jimmy Deuchars
Grandparents Apart UK
22 Alness crescent
Glasgow G52 1PJ
0141 882 5658
http://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk
Glasgow City Councillors Vote “Yes” for
‘The Charter for Grandchildren’
A big unanimous “yes” vote plus a standing ovation for Grandparents Apart UK by Glasgow City Councillors on 18th February 2010 to accept ‘The Charter for Grandchildren’ for mandatory use by professionals that work in the welfare of children. By this historic vote brave Glasgow Councillors have opened up a whole new aspect of child care and protection plus huge savings on the public purse.
The Policy Development Committee (PDC) in Glasgow City Chambers will now decide to accept parts or all of the Charter. The Charter was produced by the legal team of a Scottish Government on evidence produced by a stakeholders group of which Grandparents Apart UK were a part of.
What the Charter for Grandchildren will do for Grandchildren
Our first and foremost consideration is the welfare of our grandchildren.
Through our personal experience of having nowhere to turn to for support Grandparents Apart UK was born. We send information about what can be done and have meetings to pass on our experiences and support each other. Our helpline for counselling has enabled thousands of grandparents to get back into their grandchildren’s lives.
Grandparents by law are regarded as irrelevant persons in their grandchildren’s lives therefore are often excluded from what is happening to their grandchildren by professionals like social services. Governments are happy to say that grandparents are very important in children’s lives, but they need to back their words with actions.
The Charter for Grandchildren was created by The Scottish Executive in answer to our protesting and lobbying but it is advisory only so doesn’t have the proper power to help our grandchildren. Professionals can ignore the Charter because it is only advisory and it seems too much bother for them to change their policies to accept it.
The present Scottish Government passed the responsibility for the Charter to local area and regional services. Glasgow City Chambers has now reacted by accepting The closer scrutiny to decide whether part, or all of the Charter will be accepted. It was created by The Scottish Executive in the best interest of children so we don’t see any logical reason why any part of it should be disregarded.
Clearly the Charter for Grandchildren was created to promote children’s best interests and to ensure professionals look more closely at the role grandparents can play in their grandchildren’s lives. This would put grandparents in a more relevant position in their grandchildren’s lives, meaning more inclusion in decisions concerning the welfare of the children or an explanation of any decision which denies children the benefit of that role.
Jimmy Deuchars
Grandparents Apart UK
22 Alness crescent
Glasgow G52 1PJ
0141 882 5658
http://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk
Taking 'The Charter for Grandchildren’ forward
A discussion for taking
‘The Charter for Grandchildren’
Forward via
Glasgow City Council
will be held in
The Pearce Institute
Govan Cross, Glasgow G51
Tuesday 6th April 2010
7pm -9pm
0141 882 5658
Everyone with an interest welcome.
‘The Charter for Grandchildren’
Forward via
Glasgow City Council
will be held in
The Pearce Institute
Govan Cross, Glasgow G51
Tuesday 6th April 2010
7pm -9pm
0141 882 5658
Everyone with an interest welcome.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
David Icke,
David Icke,
True or false? You decide.
http://www.davidicke.com/articles/child-abuse-mainmenu-74/31148-paedophilia-and-satanism-the-fabric-of-the-web
True or false? You decide.
http://www.davidicke.com/articles/child-abuse-mainmenu-74/31148-paedophilia-and-satanism-the-fabric-of-the-web
Friday, March 5, 2010
Taking ‘The Charter for Grandchildren’ Forward
A discussion for taking ‘The Charter for Grandchildren’ Forward via Glasgow City Council will be held in
The Pearce Institute
Govan Cross,
Glasgow G51
Tuesday 6th April 2010
7pm -9pm
0141 882 5658
Everyone with an interest welcome.
The Pearce Institute
Govan Cross,
Glasgow G51
Tuesday 6th April 2010
7pm -9pm
0141 882 5658
Everyone with an interest welcome.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Political Suicide for ED BALLS from the grey vote
ED BALLS IS IGNORING CHILDREN AND GRANDPARENTS CAN WE CHANGE HIS MIND?
Mr Jimmy Deuchars
By email: james@grandparents.fsnet.co.uk
Justice Directorate
Civil Law Division
T: 0131-244 3322 F: 0131-244 2195
E: simon.stockwell@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Your ref:
Our ref: 2010/0003660OR
01 March 2010
Dear Mr Deuchars
GRANDPARENTS
Thank you for your letter of 28 January 2010 to Ed Balls, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families. Your letter has been passed to the Scottish Ministers and I have been asked to reply on their behalf.
The Scottish Government is pleased that you support the Charter for Grandchildren. We have no plans to make any changes in this area.
Yours sincerely
SIMON STOCKWELL
Family and Property Law
Mr Jimmy Deuchars
By email: james@grandparents.fsnet.co.uk
Justice Directorate
Civil Law Division
T: 0131-244 3322 F: 0131-244 2195
E: simon.stockwell@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Your ref:
Our ref: 2010/0003660OR
01 March 2010
Dear Mr Deuchars
GRANDPARENTS
Thank you for your letter of 28 January 2010 to Ed Balls, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families. Your letter has been passed to the Scottish Ministers and I have been asked to reply on their behalf.
The Scottish Government is pleased that you support the Charter for Grandchildren. We have no plans to make any changes in this area.
Yours sincerely
SIMON STOCKWELL
Family and Property Law
Monday, March 1, 2010
What the Charter for Grandchildren will do for Grandparents.
What the Charter for Grandchild will do for Grandparents.
Grandparents Apart UK Website http://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk
Our first and foremost consideration is the welfare of our grandchildren. When you have had grandchildren taken from you that has bonded with you from birth and have heard their pleas of I love you and when are we coming home again, not only breaks your heart but devastates the children with a wrench that affects them all their lives.
Because of our personal experience and having had nowhere to turn to for support Grandparents Apart UK was born. We send information available to enquirers and have meetings to pass on our experiences. Our helpline for counselling has enabled thousands of grandparents to get back into their grandchildren’s lives.
Grandparents by law are regarded as irrelevant persons in their grandchildren’s lives therefore are often excluded from what is happening to their grandchildren by professionals, namely social services, they often tell grandparents “We don’t need to talk to you”. It is regularly said by governments and children’s groups that grandparents are very important in children’s lives. But only when it suits them it would appear.
The Charter for Grandchildren which the Scottish Executive created in answer to our protesting and lobbying was advisory only. The professionals ignore the Charter because it is only advisory and it would be a lot of bother for them to change their policies to accept it.
The present Scottish Government got rid of the problem by passing the responsibility onto the Local Services (The Town Hall) and Glasgow City Chambers has accepted the challenge by voting yes for consideration on 18th February 2010 with a standing ovation for Grandparents Apart UK. They have now passed it on to the P.D.C committee for closer scrutiny. This charter was created by the legal team of the Scottish Executive so we don’t know what they have to scrutinise.
Clearly the Charter for Grandchildren is for children to have the right for professionals to look more closely at the role grandparents can play in their grandchildren’s lives. This would obviously put grandparents in a more relevant position in their grandchildren’s lives by more inclusion in the deciding of their care and general welfare or an explanation to the contrary.
Jimmy Deuchars
Grandparents Apart UK
22 Alness crescent
Glasgow G52 1PJ
0141 882 5658
http://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk
Grandparents Apart UK Website http://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk
Our first and foremost consideration is the welfare of our grandchildren. When you have had grandchildren taken from you that has bonded with you from birth and have heard their pleas of I love you and when are we coming home again, not only breaks your heart but devastates the children with a wrench that affects them all their lives.
Because of our personal experience and having had nowhere to turn to for support Grandparents Apart UK was born. We send information available to enquirers and have meetings to pass on our experiences. Our helpline for counselling has enabled thousands of grandparents to get back into their grandchildren’s lives.
Grandparents by law are regarded as irrelevant persons in their grandchildren’s lives therefore are often excluded from what is happening to their grandchildren by professionals, namely social services, they often tell grandparents “We don’t need to talk to you”. It is regularly said by governments and children’s groups that grandparents are very important in children’s lives. But only when it suits them it would appear.
The Charter for Grandchildren which the Scottish Executive created in answer to our protesting and lobbying was advisory only. The professionals ignore the Charter because it is only advisory and it would be a lot of bother for them to change their policies to accept it.
The present Scottish Government got rid of the problem by passing the responsibility onto the Local Services (The Town Hall) and Glasgow City Chambers has accepted the challenge by voting yes for consideration on 18th February 2010 with a standing ovation for Grandparents Apart UK. They have now passed it on to the P.D.C committee for closer scrutiny. This charter was created by the legal team of the Scottish Executive so we don’t know what they have to scrutinise.
Clearly the Charter for Grandchildren is for children to have the right for professionals to look more closely at the role grandparents can play in their grandchildren’s lives. This would obviously put grandparents in a more relevant position in their grandchildren’s lives by more inclusion in the deciding of their care and general welfare or an explanation to the contrary.
Jimmy Deuchars
Grandparents Apart UK
22 Alness crescent
Glasgow G52 1PJ
0141 882 5658
http://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk
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