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Queensland Government fronts funding for Time for Grandparents scheme
Freya Lucas
Aug 11, 2022
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The Queensland Government will direct almost $1 million in funding towards a “Time for Grandparents” scheme in recognition of the role grandparents play in supporting families to care for young children.
“Grandparents dominate the world of unpaid care,” Seniors Minister Craig Crawford said, noting that one in every nine Queenslanders performs an unpaid care role.“One in every four carers is aged over 65, many providing informal child care and some are primary carers of their grandchildren.”
While many grandparents perform these care tasks “out of good will and the love in their hearts,” he continued, they can come at a personal cost, with carers experiencing lower wellbeing, higher psychological distress and poorer physical health.
“Grandparents – mostly baby boomers – are the heart and soul of our communities,’’ he said.
“They are the unsung heroes who provide significant emotional support for family members, some also provide financial and practical assistance.”
In recognition of the contribution carers make, the Queensland government is investing $961,084 in 2022–23 in the Time for Grandparents Program.
Time for Grandparents co-ordinator Rhett Chapman said the program provides advice and support to unpaid carers who have primary responsibility for raising their grandchildren.
“Time for Grandparents offers a Queensland wide confidential telephone information service that provides information, support and referrals to grandparents on 1300 135 500,’’ Mr Chapman said.
“Time for Grandparents also runs activities across the state to give children of eligible grandfamilies some fun and respite and down time for grandparents.”
Learn more about Time for Grandparents here.
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