A group of grandparents supported by Momentum meet up

Organised by Family Support Workers Amanda and Kerrie, the event offered grandparents a welcoming and supportive space to share their experiences, listen to one another, offer reassurance and build meaningful connections with others who understand the challenges they face.

The grandparents came from families facing a range of different diagnoses, but all shared the common experience of being deeply involved in their grandchild’s journey. Each was supporting their family in different ways, with some taking on the role of full-time carer.

The morning had a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, beginning with coffee and introductions before conversations naturally unfolded.

Grandparents Phil and Maria attended the event at Wakehurst. They said: “Sometimes grandparents can easily be overlooked when so much is happening within the family, which can leave you feeling quite isolated. These meet-ups are a wonderful opportunity to talk to others, share experiences and realise you are not alone in how you are feeling. Often, it can feel easier to open up to people outside of your immediate family, and events like the one at Wakehurst provide that safe, protected space and time to do just that.

Phil and Maria continued: “To any grandparents considering attending, we would say it’s so important not to feel alone when going through something like this. It’s a relaxed, accepting environment, and everyone is grateful for the chance to listen to and learn from each other’s journeys.”

Talking about the role of Amanda, their Family Support Worker, Phil and Maria said: “Amanda is amazing. She has visited us at home and taken the time to really get to know our family. She’s provided us with so much emotional support, whether through texts, phone calls or face-to-face visits. She knows our hobbies and interests and keeps us informed about what’s happening locally. She has also helped organise respite breaks, arranged counselling, and supported our daughter with the practical side of completing various forms and paperwork for our granddaughter. Amanda is incredibly empathetic and always open to new ideas. We feel very fortunate to have her support.”

Reflecting on the morning, Momentum Family Support Worker Amanda said: “The conversations flowed naturally, with so many shared experiences and emotions coming to the surface. It felt incredibly honest and authentic, creating a real sense of peer support among the grandparents. They spoke about how difficult it can be to feel on the edge of what is happening, while still playing such an important role in supporting their own child through pain and uncertainty, as well as providing comfort, stability and a sense of normality for their grandchildren. There were tears, laughter and a real openness throughout the morning, and we felt very privileged to share that space with them.”

As the conversations naturally drew to a close, Amanda and Kerrie gave the grandparents time to explore the gardens at Wakehurst and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Some chose to walk together and continue their conversations, while others took the opportunity for quiet reflection.

Our next gathering for grandparents supported by Momentum will take place at Painshill Park, in Cobham, Surrey, on Wednesday 10 June. Find out more and register your place here.

A huge thank you to the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund for their ongoing commitment in helping to fund our Family Support Worker roles.

We would also like to extend our thanks to the Hampton Fund, Wimbledon Foundation, Community Foundation for Surrey, and the Elmbridge Community Fund for their generous contributions towards our support for families in their areas.