Caring gran finds sense of belonging through giving back

The $10,000 Westfield Local Heroes grant has enabled Grandparents Rearing Grandchildren WA to take over 81 GRG grandchildren on a family respite trip down south to Busselton.

All those that attended the break were able to spend quality time together and strengthen their family bonds.

When Jan Standen found herself having to take care of her young grandchildren, the special people at Grandparents Rearing Grandchildren WA rallied to help her.

She was so impressed that she started giving back almost immediately.

“The people were so lovely and supportive I was compelled to do as much as I possibly could to help them right from the outset,” Jan says.

The organisation’s purpose is to provide relief, respite and support services to grandparents who are rearing grandchildren, and to protect and promote the well-being and development of grandchildren in their care.

Some grandparents care for more than four school-age children and many rely on a small government grant and their age pension to do it.

In Jan’s case, her daughter has a mental illness and left her children when the youngest was 22 months. Their father looked after them for five years, but he could not manage and they were “basically living on the street”.

When the children came to live with her, Jan had to give up her part-time job and lost her livelihood.

This experience gives Jan a deep understanding of other people’s needs as they work to rebuild the lives of their grandchildren.

Jan is the organisation’s vice president and events coordinator. She also liaises with federal and state members of parliament, advocating for grandparents who are rearing grandchildren.

She is extremely grateful to be voted a Westfield Local Hero.

“It’s totally amazing to be recognised for what I do, especially considering the devastating situation that I came from. I now have a sense of belonging and community like I’ve never had before. I’ve found my forte in life thanks to this organisation.”

“When they see how they are all being cared for by their grandparents they develop a strong bond and a sense of belonging which is priceless,” she says.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here.