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Where do I find a Support Group?

There are a growing number of Grandparent Support Groups to be found in NSW.

The structure of support groups varies – but the purpose is always the same: they provide an opportunity for grandparents to share stories, swap ideas and learn more about how to cope. They are places for a friendly cuppa and a chat with people who really know what you are going through.

Most groups are run by grandparents who support other grandparents through their ups and downs. However, increasingly community service organisations are adding their assistance and offering support to keep these groups going. Groups often meet at Neighbourhood Centres, Family Support Centres or some other local community organisation. Staff often help organise guest speakers and act as a resource point for the group.

Sydney Metropolitan Area:

Support Group

Suburb/Location

Phone

Total Tots Playgroup

Abbotsbury

02 9610 2977

Bankstown Grandparent Support Group

Bankstown

02 8713 7700

PleasureTime Grandparent Friendly Playgoup

Blakehurst

02 95466353 or 0439998518

Botany Family & Children's Centre Playgroup

Botany

02 9666 504

Aboriginal Supported Playgroups - Grandparents & young parents

Bonnyrig

02 9794 1872

Grandparent Support Group

Chester Hill

02 9645 3700

Grandparent Carers Support Group

Eastwood

02 9334 0133

PleasureTime Grandparent Friendly Playgoup

Gymea Bay

02 95466353 or 0439998518

Grandparents and Carers Group

Liverpool

02 9602 8044

Aboriginal Grandparents Support Group

La Perouse

02 9382 1412 or
0421 054 318

Grandparent support group

Maroubra

02 9130 7336

St George Grandparents Group

Peakhurst

02 9153 6300

Relative Carers Group

Randwick

02 9382 1412

Relative Carers Group

Redfern

02 9698 9019 or
0421 054 318

Grandparent Support Group

Sutherland

02 9521 8280

PleasureTime Grandparent Friendly Playgoup

Sutherland

02 95466353 or 0439998518

Second Time Around

Whalan

02 9832 0543

PleasureTime Grandparent Friendly Playgoup

Yarrawarrah

02 95466353 or 0439998518

Hawksbury Region:

Kinship Care Regional Project Support Group

Hawkesbury Group

02 4751 3033

Nepean:

Western Sydney Grandcarers

South Penrith

02 9864 5923

Springwood Kinship Care Support Group

Springwood

02 4751 3033

Koori Grandparent & Kinship Carers

Penrith

02 4722 9980
02 4722 9908

Kinship Care Regional Support Group

North St. Marys

02 4751 3033

Central Coast Region:

Support Group

Suburb/Location

Phone

Bateau Bay Grandparents Group

Bateau Bay

02 4334 3390

Lakehaven Grandparents Group

Lakehaven

02 43518076

Woy Woy Grandparents Parenting

Umina

02 4342 9995

Wyong Grandparents Support Group

Gosford

02 4340 1585

San Remo/Blue Haven Grandparents Support Group

San Remo

02 4393 1333

Wadalba Indigenous Grandparents Group

Wyong

02 4393 1333

Fennell Bay

Toronto

02 4393 1333

Hunter Region:

Support Group

Suburb/Location

Phone

Grandparents as Parents

Cessnock

02 4393 1333

Grandparents as Parents

Raymond Terrace

02 4393 1333

Grandparents as Parents

Lambton

02 4393 1333

Mid North Coast Region:

Support Group

Suburb/Location

Phone

Grandparents as Parents Again (GAPA)

Port Macquarie

02 65 855185

Grandparents as Parents Again (GAPA)

Taree

02 65 855185

Grandparents as Parents Again (GAPA)

Kempsey

02 65 855185

Grandparents as Parents Again (GAPA)

Wauchope

02 65 860 657

Grandparents Advocacy and Support

Coffs Harbour

02 6658 4655

New England Region:

Support Group

Suburb/Location

Phone

Grandies Grandparent Support Group

Tamworth

02 6766 4480

Parenting Groups

Tamworth

02 6766 4596

Southern Riverina Carers Support Group

Southern Riverina

02 5883 3747

Grandparent Support Group

Goulburn

02 4822 9221

Southern Highlands Region:

Support Group

Suburb/Location

Phone

Grandparent Support Group

Goulburn

02 4822 9221

Illawarra Region:

Support Group

Suburb/Location

Phone

Custodial Grandparents Program

Nowra

02 4422 0455

Grandparents as Carers

Warilla

02 4297 6138

Salvation Army Grandparent Support Group

Wollongong

02 4229 1079

Far West Region:

Support Group

Suburb/Location

Phone

Grandparent Support Group

Broken Hill

08 8087 1888

Educational Parenting Groups (Grandparents welcome)

Dubbo

02 6885 0277

Far North Region:

Support Group

Suburb/Location

Phone

Tweed Murwillumbah Grandcarers Support Group

Tweed Murwillumbah

6622 8002

Lismore Grandcarers Support Group

Lismore

6622 8002

Ballina Grandcarers Support Group

Ballina

6622 8002

Clarence Valley Kindred Children's Carers Support Group

Clarence Valley

6649 7057
6644 9284


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Additional support can be found from the following:

The Kinship Care Regional Project

(02) 4751 3033 is based at the Springwood Neighbourhood Cooperative Centre, covering the LGA’s in the Nepean Region. It provides a range of support to kinship carers including social/recreational activities for families, young people and children, support groups for carers and adolescents, training, referral advice, information and resources, community and government consultation and advocacy opportunities.

Connecting Carers NSW

(02) 9794 2352 are committed to providing the highest quality support and training to Foster, Kinship and Relative Carers, across the state of NSW.

24 Hour Support Line – 1300 794 653

The Foster Carers Association (NSW) Inc
02 9633 5816 or
02 9633 3824 runs a number of support groups in NSW that Grandparents can attend. These offer educational sessions as well as support and advocacy and are located in:

Sydney Metropolitan area:
Bankstown, Bexley and Campbelltown

Regional Areas:
Albury, Bathurst, Cessnock, Coffs Harbour, Glen Innes, Inverell, Kempsey, Lismore, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Orange Support Group, Parkes, Port Macquarie, Tamworth, Taree/Manning Valley, Tweed Heads.

Aboriginal Child Family and Community State Secretariat (NSW) AbSec
- 02 9264 0088 or
1800 888 698
have an Aboriginal Statewide Foster Carer Support Service providing support and information for Aboriginal Kinship and Foster Carers. AbSec supports over 22 Granny groups throughout NSW providing education, advocacy, support and a regular newsletter.

Grandparents and Grandchildren Society Australia Inc in NSW and Queensland (GAGS)
- 02 6362 1229 – run support groups and have a strong lobbying focus throughout various regions of Australia including NSW.