Leeds News and Events

Last Updated on Thursday, 02 August 2012 16:15

CONTACT Dave Cousins
david.cousins@grandparents-association.org.uk
Dave Cousins: 07772260403 - (Monday to Friday 9am -5pm)

LATEST NEWS:

May 2012 - FOCUS on Grandarents day
Across the UK about 200,000 grandparents are looking after their grandchildren on a full time basis. Support for grandparents can vary widely depending on local circumstances and networks. This is an event in a series of study days set up to explore the specific issues for grandparents in this situation, and for the professionals who support them. VIEW POSTER

23 April  2012 - David Cousins of GPA is Guest Speaker at 'More than Grandparents Sunderland - Grandparent kinship carers’ support and campaigning network'

David Cousins will be a guest speaker at the Sunderland Carers Centre, an independent support and campaigning network led by and for grandparent kinship carers, particularly those who are caring for their grandchildren as a result of their parents’ substance misuse. More than Grandparents are aiming to find solutions to the barriers and difficulties faced by grandparent kinship carers - if you are in this situation, please come to our next network meetings on:

Monday 23rd April 2012 - 12 noon until 2.00 pm - At Sunderland Area Parents Support
Meadow Nurseries, Silksworth Gardens, Sunderland, SR3 2PE
Light lunch provided and transport upon request

For more information contact:
Kate - Telephone: 0191 5673232
Sue – E-Mail: sue@suerobson.co.uk or Telephone 07813 109 215

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26 March 2012 - 'Rescue and Repair’:  Grandparents with parental care of their grandchildren - A National Networking and Agenda Setting Event
The University of Leeds are holding a free event for professionals, policy makers, academics and grandparents highlighting the experiences of the most disadvantaged grandparent carers from the ESRC funded Timescapes project, contact Jamie Knipe, Timescapes Administrative Officer on 0113 3433571 or email j.l.knipe@leeds.ac.uk VIEW POSTER

7 March 2012 4pm - 5.30pm - Getawaygirls CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY & AGM - All ages welcome - VIEW POSTER

February 2012 - Steps towards excellence for personal success - 9.30am -12.30pm LA Fitness Yeadon
We have the opportunity to attend this 6 week course which will help us and our volunteers to decide what we want and how to get there!

January 2012 - Grandparents' Association asked to nominate a deserving group for a delivery of Snow!

There was localised snowfall at Gipton community centre on 14th January. The members of Leeds-based community group Gipton Together were the only people in England to enjoy snow on Saturday after they received a special donation of the white stuff. Gipton Together was chosen after SNO!zone asked Cash4Kids to nominate one of the charities it works with to receive the special gift. They in turn asked their partner the Grandparents Association to nominate one of the most deserving groups in the region. The real snow was donated by SNO!zone Castleford to allow the young people to be some of the few to experience sledging during what has been an unseasonably mild winter.

Terri (Gipton) said: “Hearing that we were going to receive this special treat was fantastic and a real surprise. As we’ve not yet seen any snow this winter it’s been great for everyone to have the chance to get outdoors and have a go at sledging. Everyone has had a great time and I’m sure that they’ll remember this for a long time to come.”

The Leeds Grandparents Association is a Big Lottery Funded Project and as part of their Reaching Communities Agenda believed Gipton Together was a deserving cause for the wonderful gift of snow for the day. Dave Cousins  - Manager already knew of the fantastic work of Gipton Together, following almost ten years of working the area some years ago. Dave reported that he now works with scores of Grandparent Carers across Gipton and highlights the fantastic work they do as second time round parents. The Grandparents Association recognises that Gipton together hits their agenda by ‘Reaching Communities” via their Community Outreach Work. We welcome the good people of Gipton receiving this superb gift for the day.

Dave Cousins (GPA) Sue Stewart (GPA) Terri (Gipton)	Sue Stewart - Grandson

Gipton Together was set up nine years ago to encourage young people off the streets and to develop their self-esteem and confidence by offering the chance to take part in activities of their choice. More than 250 young people aged between six and 18 now take part in activities including street dance, drama and musical theatre each week. Last year the charity featured on Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire with Chief Executive of ITV and London 2012 Olympic Committee member, Charles Allen. He was so impressed by the work the group does in inspiring young people that he donated £35,000 to help fund its running costs.

The local community, along with Charles Allen, has also nominated Terri Loney, founder of Gipton Together, to carry the Olympic Torch later this year.

Sarah Porteus, marketing manager for SNO!zone, said: “We worked with Cash4Kids over Christmas and we asked them to help us to find a deserving local group that we could treat to a delivery of snow. “Gipton Together does an amazing job of helping to inspire young people and to give them access to a range of activities so we were only too happy to arrange a day of sledging for them.”

For more information about SNO!zone visit www.snozoneuk.com and for more information about Gipton Together visit www.giptontogether.co.uk

20 December Childrens Christmas Party
Joint party with the Leeds special guardianship team and us . Venue to be confirmed. For all grandparents who have SGO's and RO's. Contact Sue for details 01132429922

15 September  - Volunteer / helpline training
Thank you to all those who have shown an interest in becoming a volunteer. Invitations have already been sent. If you would be interested in becoming a volunteer in Leeds please contact sue.stewart@grandparents-association.org.uk

VOTE FOR US NOW! - The deadline for voting is midnight on 23 October.

We need your vote to get try to win an award of £6,000 for Leeds GPA ! Can you help us?

NatWest CommunityForce is a new initiative which sees them working with local communities to support the people, projects and charities making a real difference where you live. We have registered for votes . You can read about what we are doing here

18 September - Fishing Tournament
Are you ready to be hooked on helping The Grandparents' Association?
Charity fishing tournament at The Rodley Canal (next to the Railway Inn Pub).
Registration at 11am Fishing from 12-5pm
Trophy presentation at 6.30 pm
For further details contact sue.stewart@grandparents-association.org.uk

23 September - Coffee cup cakes for professionals

Do you support grandparents that care for their grandchildren full time, that attend your Children’s Centre?
Would any of them benefit from a holiday, white goods and benefits advice? 
If so we may be able to help.
In the past year we have supported   families and children with all of the above.
If you would be interested in more information about our services you are invited to an information day. Get a cup of coffee and a cupcake.

Call Sue on 01132 446111 or 01132 429922 / sue.stewart@grandparents-association.org.uk

22 September - Grandparents' Seminar

Sovereign Chambers in Leeds are holding an event for grandparents. This seminar will have speakers from the Grandparent's Association, CAFCASS and Ridley & Hall who will be covering the topic of Grandparent's and their rights in family disputes.  Further details to follow. The seminar will be held at Sovereign Chambers. RSVP or call Sue on 01132 446111 

June 2011 - NATIONAL BOOK START WEEK
8 June 2011 10.30am - 12.30pm
Middleton Railway, The Station, Moor Road, Hunslet LS10 2JQ

January 2011 - Working with schools and reaching grandparents
This month, we have been working in Leeds and the surrounding areas, with primary and secondary schools, to identify and support grandparents who are bringing up their grandchildren fulltime.

January 2011 - Networking and partnerships
This month we have a trainee Forensic Psychologist shadowing the Grandparents' Association services in Leeds.

January 2011- New groups
New groups have been set up in Belle Isle, Garforth, Yeadon & Rawdon, and Holbeck. More details to follow.

13 January 2011 - Leeds Probus Charity of the Year Presentations

69 businesses have nominated us for Leeds Charity of the Year. Many thanks to everyone who nominated us!

Dave Cousins and Sue Stewart from the Leeds office attended the Probus Annual lunch and gave talks about The Grandparents' Association and the work they are doing in Leeds and surrounding areas.

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