On 28th July The Grandparents' Association took a stall at Mill Green Museum, Welwyn Garden City. With a good turn out, great fun was had by all. Here's Judith Howell, Development Officer for our support groups accompanied by teddies and leaflets!

A WISH COME TRUE FOR KIMBERLEY

www.starlight.org.uk Registered charity number 296058

Kimberley (10) was first diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2009. She has endured major surgery and intensive chemotherapy, spending many months away from school and in hospital.

Kimberley's mum said: "Kimberley is such a happy girl who has had part of her childhood snatched away. When we heard that Starlight that could help us grant Kimberley's greatest wish - to be a mounted police woman - we got in touch straight away."

Starlight arranged for Kimberly and her family to travel to London, with Kimberley unaware it was to have her dream fulfilled. First stop was a unique meeting with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner at the famous Scotland Yard. Kimberley's jaw dropped when she realised her wish was coming true!

At a special ceremony, the commissioner presented Kimberley with her very own uniform, made for her trip to the mounted police headquarters at Imber Court.

"I have never been so surprised and happy! The commissioner was so lovely and I can't believe how much planning has been going on with my mum and dad, the police and Starlight! I love my uniform and can't wait to wear it when we go to visit the horses tomorrow," she exclaimed.

Kimberley spent the next day at Imber Court, riding and working with the horses of the mounted police. She also met some of the police dogs and puppies before finally being awarded her very own horseshoe as a souvenir of her magical day!

For one last treat, Starlight arranged for animal-loving Kimberley to feed a giraffe at London Zoo before the family headed home, with precious memories and photos of a wish come true.

CHARITIES WE SUPPORT

20% of our GROSS INCOME will be allocated to our nominated Charities. These are The Grandparents' Association, Dogs For the Disabled, Starlight Children's Foundation and The Donkey Sanctuary. Purchases through this website will directly benefit these charities.

Disneyland Paris
Opening 17th August 2010 Toy Story Playland is aimed at bringing even more excitement and experience for Disneyland Paris to enjoy. Featuring 3 new attractions, the land will provide plenty of fun for all the family. Set in Toon Studioos Toy Story Playland will be the first Toy Story-based land in any Disney theme park in the world. For further details of this and current Disneyland Paris offers ............

***

Summer Sales are still in full flow. Up to 70% savings are currently available at Pure Collection, Avon, Elemis, Debenhams and Charles Tyrwhitt and substantial discounts from Woolovers, Hotter Shoes,  Chums, House of Fraser, and Pavers Shoes

We have many highly regarded merchants within our Children and Toys Section. Superb websites providing a huge range of products for children of all ages. Recent additions include Kiddiroo (15%discount available), Baby Monitors Direct, My Mini Monsters.

Shearings have their 2011 Holiday Brochure now available. 5% discount for Grandparent Club members and visitors. Includes European river cruises but as an alternative for your own chartered boat and total independence also have a look at Le Boat holidays.

Plenty of late summer 2010 holidays still available at attractive discounted prices . Amongst others try Thomsons, Cooperative Travel, Lastminute.com. and Villa Select.

***

The Donkey Sanctuary has a dedicated team of 45 regional and area welfare officers throughout the UK and Northern Ireland who investigate reports of cruelty to or neglect of donkeys, quickly and efficiently.

If you are concerned about the welfare of any donkey, please contact us immediately.

All calls are treated in the strictest of confidence.

...WE ALSO NEED DONKEY FRINGES

Our elderly donkeys are quite arthritic and find it hard to move and stamp their feet or shake their heads to get rid of the flies that gather around their eyes. With no facial protection, their eyes water constantly, which in turn makes their faces very sore.

To help our 'oldies', we've sourced a fly fringe that's safe for the donkeys to wear in their field which has a special velcro strip that will release if the fringe gets caught on a fence or branch.

We have about 500 elderly donkeys in our care who could all be comforted by wearing a fly fringe over the coming months so we're appealing to our supporters for help.

• The number of donkeys given to sanctuaries has nearly doubled in two years - could you take one home?
  
• Save abandoned Eeyore's from the Frenchman's dinner plate

The Donkey Sanctuary
Charity Number 264818

The Leeds office of Irwin Mitchell raised £5,522 in the past year for the local charity. The money raised means Kip has been purchased and placed with a volunteer family for a year to receive his puppy socialisation training. He will then pass on to advanced training with the charity and will eventually be partnered with a disabled child or adult, allowing them to lead a fuller, more independent life with increased confidence and a means of overcoming social exclusion.

www.dogsforthedisabled.org

MESSAGE FROM LYNN CHESTERMAN CE
THE GRANDPARENTS' ASSOCIATION

YOUNG PEOPLE CALL FOR FINANCIAL AND PRACTICAL HELP FOR THEIR KINSHIP CARERS

Due to your interest in the lives of young people in the UK, we want to make you aware of new research launched today from the Grandparents' Association, which reveals that children and young people raised by their grandparents are in desperate need of financial and practical help for their kinship carers and themselves.
It is estimated that up to 300,000 children in the UK are being raised by their grandparents, other family members or friends. This is often due to family breakdown caused by substance misuse or other issues and the grandparents step in to prevent the child going into care. Of these families, 98% lose out on financial benefits, support services and re-housing. A postcode lottery exists in relation to such services, with three in four kinship carers experiencing financial hardship. Many of these children have complex emotional needs following family break-up, yet this study found some acting as carers themselves: "My grandparents are too frail to take me on holiday. I end up looking after them."
The Grandparents' Association, the only members' charity for kinship carers in the UK, along with the Kinship Care Alliance, is calling for more support following these findings from the research. We urge you to take a look at this recent study and consider the issues and suggestions raised. To address this crisis we recommend:

• training to facilitate peer-to-peer support;
• one-to-one and group services to build children's self esteem, coping skills and confidence;
• family group conferencing;
• more training for social workers and teachers;
• data collection to show the scale of the problem.

'Children's Voices' is the 4th edition of the Relative Values Series launched by the Grandparents' Association and reveals for the first time the views and needs of children who are being raised by their grandparents without professional support. The vast majority of these children speak of their isolation, vulnerability and fear. One said: "What happens when they are dead? They are old people. I get scared and have nightmares. I don't know what happens when they are dead?" Research confirms that children with kinship carers do as well if not better than those in the care system. However, these placements put immense strain on the families concerned and more support is needed.

CHARITIES WE SUPPORT

20% of our GROSS INCOME will be allocated to our nominated Charities. These are The Grandparents' Association, Dogs For the Disabled, Starlight Children's Foundation and The Donkey Sanctuary. Purchases through this website will directly benefit these charities.

SOME OFFERS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE THIS MONTH....

BEAUTY AND HEALTH
LIFESCAN

The UK's leading independent provider of CT health checks. Grandparents Club members and visitors will be entitled to a 20% saving off the costs of this unique service.

CHILDREN AND TOYS
Kiddiroo Unique children's toys and gifts. 15% discount available on all orders exceeding £15

INSURANCE HOME
Hiscox Wide cover for higher value homes.

We have also extended our Useful Sites section to include pages relating to Pensions and Benefit Entitlement

SUMMER SALES

Many of our retailers are currently offering very attractive discounts but in particular Debenhams, House of Fraser and Lakeland up to 70% off and Laura Ashley, Christopher Ward, Elemis and Tesco (wines and clothing) up to 50%. B & Q and Asda are offering attractive discounts on camping equipment and barbecues.

DAYS OUT
We have some wonderful ideas for family days out on our site including Steam Trains. Take the family on one of the many exiting and evocative steam railway journeys that are available throughout the United Kingdom.

CURRENT SALES AMONGST OUR MERCHANTS INCLUDE:

* Chums summer sale - fantastic value up to 50% off
* Debenhams - 50% off hundreds of items
* Blooming Marvellous - up to 50% off
* Currys - Good discounts throughout their range.
* House of Fraser Big Brand Summer Sale up to 50% off hundreds of brands and thousands of items.
* Mothercare Sale up to 50% saving on wide range of items.

GRANDPARENTS PRESS AND MEDIA

8th June 2010  -BBC NEWS

UK lagging behind other European countries in recognizing the role grandparents play in looking after children.

***

A WISH COME TRUE FOR OLIVE

Little Olive has acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. She had one wish: to bake a cake for the Queen!

First there was the challenge of baking a cake fit for a queen! Olive had a helping hand from Tana Ramsay, a special Starlight fairy godmother who invited her to her home to bake a special cake.

'What kind of cake do you think the Queen would like?' asked Tana. Olive was sure of the answer: a squidgy chocolate cake with Smarties on top. Together they made a wonderful cake, and of course, Olive was given the most important job of all - the tasting!

At Buckingham Palace, Olive and her family were greeted by Starlight Patron HRH Princess Alexandra, who was delighted to be visited by little ‘Princess Olive' and to accept the cake on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen.

Olive's mum said, 'It is unbelievable her wish came true - she will remember this day for the rest of her life. Seeing her so happy is something I will remember forever. These happy memories eclipse some of the bad memories we have of Olive fighting her cancer. And we heard from the Queen - she loved Olive's cake.'

www.starlight.org.uk Registered charity number 296058

***

THE DONKEY SANCTUARY - WORKSHOPS FOR YOU...

• Do you want to know what to feed your youngster, or discover how to keep your geriatric donkey in tiptop condition?
  
• Need advice on when to castrate, worm or vaccinate your foal?
  
• Are you worried about your donkey's feet, would like to know more about common donkey foot problems and how to help prevent them?

DIARY DATES

Northumberland Wednesday 21st July 2010
South Wales Wednesday 1st September 2010
Scotland Saturday 11th September 2010
Birmingham Thursday 23rd September 2010
Northern Ireland Wednesday 6th October 2010
Manchester Thursday 14th October 2010

BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW!

If you are interested in attending one of the workshops, please contact
Has your family been together for 25 years or more and lasted the test of time?

Are you proud of your relationship surviving the ups and downs of everyday family life?

Are you interested in sharing your pearls of wisdom with young couples who would benefit from your experience?

If you think you have the key to a long and successful family relationship and that a relationship is for life, then we would love to hear from you. Love productions are making a new innovating documentary for the BBC based on families sharing their own real life experiences with others who are in need of guidance.

Do you think that you have the knowledge and experience to help a young family solve their relationship problems?

If you interested and would like to find out more about what taking part would involve, please call Laura on 0207 067 4846 or email laura.smith@loveproductions.co.uk

Calls will be treated in confidence and you will be under any commitment to take part.

The Game Fair, which takes place from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th July at Ragley Hall near Alcester in Warwickshire, attracts around 100,000 visitors, so is a great opportunity for many people to learn about our work by seeing one of our demonstrations in the main arena, meeting some of our partnerships, or talking to volunteers and staff.

An assistance dog trained by Dogs for the Disabled performs practical tasks such as opening doors, helping a person undress or picking up hard to reach or dropped items such as keys, the post or a mobile phone. But an assistance dog offers far more than just practical help, becoming a social icebreaker, a reason to go out again, and bringing new found opportunities that many people thought would never be possible.

Game Fair volunteers are needed to help with collections, selling raffle tickets, taking silent auction bids, and helping out on the stand. As we rely entirely on donations to carry on our work, the money raised from this event really will make a difference.

If you can commit to helping for a day then please contact Stephanie Lawless, Community Fundraising Manager on 01295 252600 or stephanie.lawless@dogsforthedisabled.org

Find out more about the event at www.gamefair.co.uk

www.dogsforthedisabled.org

Let family members foster children - opinion printed in The Independent letters from The Grandparents' Association

That there is a shortage of over 10,000 foster carers in the UK is deeply concerning (report, 17 May). Children in care are likely to have experienced a very difficult childhood to date, and the absence of a suitable, stable foster placement adds further to their trauma, with potentially devastating consequences.

However, the solution doesn't solely lie in recruiting more unrelated foster carers. We know from our work that significantly more could be done to enable children to live safely within their families, for example with grandparents, aunts or uncles whom they already know and love. Too often we get calls to our advice lines from such relatives, who have been overlooked by children's services.

Then there are the cases of other relatives, who, despite being willing to make many sacrifices for the children, are just too impoverished or living in overcrowded accommodation, to be able to take on their upbringing without help from the local authority, which isn't forthcoming.

The child-welfare system in many parts of England is facing extraordinary pressures at the moment. Rather than paying tens of thousands of pounds keeping more children in care, we need to consider how the right help can be provided to give children love, security and stability within their families.

Cathy Ashley, Chief Executive, Family Rights Group

Lynn Chesterman, Chief Executive, The Grandparents' Association, Harlow, Essex

LATEST CURRENT OFFERS & PARTNERSHIPS

Ken Muir - Special Discounts on fruit trees and bushes from leading suppliers

10% discount off already very competitive prices on everything you require for your pond and water garden - Bradshaw Direct

5% discount from world leading rose grower - David Austin Roses

discount of £5.00 off cost of membership - Royal Horticultural Society

10% discount off best available rates
- Q Hotels

10% discount from leading inland waterways holiday provider UK Boat Hire

providerup to 25% discount on Warners Leisure

holidays 5% discount off holidays with Shearings

up to 10% discount on car hire through Enterprise Car Rentals

introductory discount from Tanners Wines

15% discount on high quality plants from Blooming Direct

25% discount available for RAC breakdown cover

10% discount with Blackmoor Nurseries

We are now well into the 2010 domestic cricket season. Grandparents Club have arranged a number of special offers with County Cricket Clubs and more have been promised. These are detailed on our site under the respective counties.

The BBC Documentaries unit is making a 60-minute film for BBC2 about British families going on holiday in the UK this summer.

If you are interested in finding out more about the documentary, the BBC would love to hear from you!

The Documentaries unit makes a range of different programmes, from Child of Our Time to Louis Theroux, and the acclaimed BBC1 documentary about injured soldiers, WOUNDED.

As part of our remit, we produce an award-winning strand of documentaries for BBC2 called WONDERLAND which features different aspects of contemporary British life, and this particular 60-minute documentary would be on television later this year as part of the Wonderland strand.

We are looking for families who are going on holiday in the UK in July or August, but we would not want to film people on the holiday itself. Instead we will film families travelling to and from their holiday destination and then we will lend the family a small camera that they will use to film their holiday. We would like to see the holiday experience through the eyes of one, or perhaps two, children in the family so we will teach the children how to use a small video camera for them to make a short video diary of their holiday. Some of these diaries will then hopefully appear in the completed film on BBC2. marco.crivellari@bbc.co.uk

***

DOGS FOR THE DISABLED


Dogs for the Disabled creates life-changing partnerships by training assistance dogs to help children and adults with disabilities lead a fuller, more independent life.

www.dogsforthedisabled.org

***

CHARITIES WE SUPPORT

20% of our GROSS INCOME will be allocated to our nominated Charities. These are The Grandparents' Association, Dogs For the Disabled, Starlight Children's Foundation and The Donkey Sanctuary. Purchases through this website will directly benefit these charities.

SOME OFFERS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE THIS MONTH....

The final of the Football World Cup currently taking place in South Africa will be on Sunday 11th July next. Good luck to England but in the meantime...

Ideal World have a competition to win a 50'' LG plasma television set and a signed 1966 England world cup shirt.

Love Film have a competition to win £500 every day up to the 11th July

Paddy Power offer ‘Bet £10 and get a £20 bet free.'
Temptation Gifts have a wonderful selection of ‘World Cup' items

Current sales amongst our merchants include

* Chums summer sale - fantastic value up to 50% off
* Debenhams - 50% off hundreds of items
* Blooming Marvellous - up to 50% off
* Currys - Good discounts throughout their range.
* House of Fraser Big Brand Summer Sale up to 50% off hundreds of brands and thousands of items.
* Mothercare Sale up to 50% saving on wide range of items.

HOME & GARDEN SECTION

We would like to congratulate Lakeland ‘the home of creative kitchenware' being rated No 1 High Street Shop by Which June 2010.

HOBBIES SECTION

Last month we decided to include a specific section for Hobbies which we shall expand over the coming months. We would welcome your suggestions , please email us at articles@grandparentsclub.co.uk.

CHILDREN AND TOYS SECTION

Under our Children and Toys section we have added the following highly regarded merchants

* Baby City
* Early Learning Centre
* Toyday

HOLIDAY SECTION

And on Holidays we have included

* Singapore Airlines
* Visit Menorca

USEFUL SITES

We have also extended our Useful Sites section to include pages relating to Legal Matters

GRANDPARENTS PRESS AND MEDIA

8th June 2010

Grandparents are treated worse in the UK than in Europe - Grandparents are "undervalued and overlooked" in Britain compared with those living elsewhere in Europe, according to a report

***

Do you want to Win a FUNKY MINI FIRST?

Buy a ticket and make your dream come true.
The FSA CAR DRAW for the 'Great BIG small car draw' - Tickets £2 each

A Starlight wish is chosen exclusively by the child. It is so empowering at a time when everyone else is making important decisions for them. It's time for the child to take control!

If you know a little person who would benefit from a Starlight wish, please put a child forward for a wish.

here's Jessicas story:Jessica met her pop heroes JLS after being granted a wish by Have a Heart and Starlight.

Twelve year old Jessica, who has relapsed with leukaemia, chatted and had photos with the double Brit award winning group, before watching them perform at the Colston Hall in Bristol.

Jessica was originally given a ticket to the gig by family friend Deborah Lamb, who contacted Heart and Starlight to see if they could help grant Jessica's wish to meet the boys. With JLS's help, Jessica's whole family were able to go to the concert and to experience the buzz of backstage.

Jessica was initially diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia two years ago, and had to undergo intensive treatment at Bristol Children's Hospital which meant that she and her parents had to spend much of the year there. Initially, it seemed that the gruelling treatment had worked.

www.starlight.org.uk Registered charity number 296058

***

THE DONKEY SANCTUARY - update from Claire

Hi there! This month I am going to tell you about a donkey called Snowy, she is 37 years old and she lives in the Oldies Group at The Derbyshire Centre.

All the donkeys are very happy that spring finally arrived after what seemed like a very long winter, and they can now go out and enjoy the sunshine. However for donkeys like Snowy, the warm weather can bring with it the risk of laminitis.

Laminitis is a painful condition which affects the hoof. The sensitive laminae between the hoof wall and the bones in the hoof become inflamed; it can be cripplingly sore and eventually cause long term damage to the hoof if left untreated. Laminitis can be caused by many things, but one of them is free access to lush spring grass that contains high levels of sugar which the donkeys are not used to after a winter of little grass.

If one of our donkeys does have a laminitic attack, the vet is called immediately and they would prescribe the necessary course of treatment which may include painkillers, padding up the feet and putting the donkey on box rest, on a nice deep bed of shavings.

However, prevention is better than cure, so we use our expert donkey knowledge and take precautions to try and avoid donkeys like Snowy getting laminitis. We have to introduce them to the lush green grass very slowly. We do this by strip grazing which means we move the fence just a little each day so that we can monitor how much rich grass the donkeys are eating. Because donkeys need lots of fibre in their diets, we supplement their restricted grass with straw, or in the case of the elderly donkeys with poor teeth, chaff which is nice and easy to chew and digest. So fingers crossed, with our help, Snowy and her friends will have a happy, laminitis free summer!

Don't forget The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth is open 365 days a year, from 9am until dusk and admission is free, so if you are planning a holiday to Devon this summer, the donkeys would love to see you. For those of you further up the country, The Derbyshire Centre near Buxton will be holding their summer fair on Sunday 5th September from 11am-3pm with free admission, and a group of adorable donkeys waiting to meet you.

If you would like to learn more about donkeys, or visiting us, please visit our website www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk or
call 01395 578222

Let family members foster children - opinion printed in The Independent letters from The Grandparents' Association

That there is a shortage of over 10,000 foster carers in the UK is deeply concerning (report, 17 May). Children in care are likely to have experienced a very difficult childhood to date, and the absence of a suitable, stable foster placement adds further to their trauma, with potentially devastating consequences.

However, the solution doesn't solely lie in recruiting more unrelated foster carers. We know from our work that significantly more could be done to enable children to live safely within their families, for example with grandparents, aunts or uncles whom they already know and love. Too often we get calls to our advice lines from such relatives, who have been overlooked by children's services.

Then there are the cases of other relatives, who, despite being willing to make many sacrifices for the children, are just too impoverished or living in overcrowded accommodation, to be able to take on their upbringing without help from the local authority, which isn't forthcoming.

The child-welfare system in many parts of England is facing extraordinary pressures at the moment. Rather than paying tens of thousands of pounds keeping more children in care, we need to consider how the right help can be provided to give children love, security and stability within their families.

Cathy Ashley, Chief Executive, Family Rights Group

Lynn Chesterman, Chief Executive, The Grandparents' Association, Harlow, Essex

LATEST CURRENT OFFERS & PARTNERSHIPS

Ken Muir - Special Discounts on fruit trees and bushes from leading suppliers

10% discount off already very competitive prices on everything you require for your pond and water garden - Bradshaw Direct

5% discount from world leading rose grower - David Austin Roses

discount of £5.00 off cost of membership - Royal Horticultural Society

10% discount off best available rates
- Q Hotels

10% discount from leading inland waterways holiday provider UK Boat Hire

providerup to 25% discount on Warners Leisure

holidays 5% discount off holidays with Shearings

up to 10% discount on car hire through Enterprise Car Rentals

introductory discount from Tanners Wines

15% discount on high quality plants from Blooming Direct

25% discount available for RAC breakdown cover

10% discount with Blackmoor Nurseries

We are now well into the 2010 domestic cricket season. Grandparents Club have arranged a number of special offers with County Cricket Clubs and more have been promised. These are detailed on our site under the respective counties.

The BBC Documentaries unit is making a 60-minute film for BBC2 about British families going on holiday in the UK this summer.

If you are interested in finding out more about the documentary, the BBC would love to hear from you!

The Documentaries unit makes a range of different programmes, from Child of Our Time to Louis Theroux, and the acclaimed BBC1 documentary about injured soldiers, WOUNDED.

As part of our remit, we produce an award-winning strand of documentaries for BBC2 called WONDERLAND which features different aspects of contemporary British life, and this particular 60-minute documentary would be on television later this year as part of the Wonderland strand.

We are looking for families who are going on holiday in the UK in July or August, but we would not want to film people on the holiday itself. Instead we will film families travelling to and from their holiday destination and then we will lend the family a small camera that they will use to film their holiday. We would like to see the holiday experience through the eyes of one, or perhaps two, children in the family so we will teach the children how to use a small video camera for them to make a short video diary of their holiday. Some of these diaries will then hopefully appear in the completed film on BBC2. marco.crivellari@bbc.co.uk

***

DOGS FOR THE DISABLED


Dogs for the Disabled creates life-changing partnerships by training assistance dogs to help children and adults with disabilities lead a fuller, more independent life.

www.dogsforthedisabled.org

***

CHARITIES WE SUPPORT

20% of our GROSS INCOME will be allocated to our nominated Charities. These are The Grandparents' Association, Dogs For the Disabled, Starlight Children's Foundation and The Donkey Sanctuary. Purchases through this website will directly benefit these charities.

SOME OFFERS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE THIS MONTH....

The final of the Football World Cup currently taking place in South Africa will be on Sunday 11th July next. Good luck to England but in the meantime...

Ideal World have a competition to win a 50'' LG plasma television set and a signed 1966 England world cup shirt.

Love Film have a competition to win £500 every day up to the 11th July

Paddy Power offer ‘Bet £10 and get a £20 bet free.'
Temptation Gifts have a wonderful selection of ‘World Cup' items

Current sales amongst our merchants include

* Chums summer sale - fantastic value up to 50% off
* Debenhams - 50% off hundreds of items
* Blooming Marvellous - up to 50% off
* Currys - Good discounts throughout their range.
* House of Fraser Big Brand Summer Sale up to 50% off hundreds of brands and thousands of items.
* Mothercare Sale up to 50% saving on wide range of items.

HOME & GARDEN SECTION

We would like to congratulate Lakeland ‘the home of creative kitchenware' being rated No 1 High Street Shop by Which June 2010.

HOBBIES SECTION

Last month we decided to include a specific section for Hobbies which we shall expand over the coming months. We would welcome your suggestions , please email us at articles@grandparentsclub.co.uk.

CHILDREN AND TOYS SECTION

Under our Children and Toys section we have added the following highly regarded merchants

* Baby City
* Early Learning Centre
* Toyday

HOLIDAY SECTION

And on Holidays we have included

* Singapore Airlines
* Visit Menorca

USEFUL SITES

We have also extended our Useful Sites section to include pages relating to Legal Matters

GRANDPARENTS PRESS AND MEDIA

8th June 2010

Grandparents are treated worse in the UK than in Europe - Grandparents are "undervalued and overlooked" in Britain compared with those living elsewhere in Europe, according to a report

***

Do you want to Win a FUNKY MINI FIRST?

Buy a ticket and make your dream come true.
The FSA CAR DRAW for the 'Great BIG small car draw' - Tickets £2 each

A Starlight wish is chosen exclusively by the child. It is so empowering at a time when everyone else is making important decisions for them. It's time for the child to take control!

If you know a little person who would benefit from a Starlight wish, please put a child forward for a wish.

here's Jessicas story:Jessica met her pop heroes JLS after being granted a wish by Have a Heart and Starlight.

Twelve year old Jessica, who has relapsed with leukaemia, chatted and had photos with the double Brit award winning group, before watching them perform at the Colston Hall in Bristol.

Jessica was originally given a ticket to the gig by family friend Deborah Lamb, who contacted Heart and Starlight to see if they could help grant Jessica's wish to meet the boys. With JLS's help, Jessica's whole family were able to go to the concert and to experience the buzz of backstage.

Jessica was initially diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia two years ago, and had to undergo intensive treatment at Bristol Children's Hospital which meant that she and her parents had to spend much of the year there. Initially, it seemed that the gruelling treatment had worked.

www.starlight.org.uk Registered charity number 296058

***

THE DONKEY SANCTUARY - update from Claire

Hi there! This month I am going to tell you about a donkey called Snowy, she is 37 years old and she lives in the Oldies Group at The Derbyshire Centre.

All the donkeys are very happy that spring finally arrived after what seemed like a very long winter, and they can now go out and enjoy the sunshine. However for donkeys like Snowy, the warm weather can bring with it the risk of laminitis.

Laminitis is a painful condition which affects the hoof. The sensitive laminae between the hoof wall and the bones in the hoof become inflamed; it can be cripplingly sore and eventually cause long term damage to the hoof if left untreated. Laminitis can be caused by many things, but one of them is free access to lush spring grass that contains high levels of sugar which the donkeys are not used to after a winter of little grass.

If one of our donkeys does have a laminitic attack, the vet is called immediately and they would prescribe the necessary course of treatment which may include painkillers, padding up the feet and putting the donkey on box rest, on a nice deep bed of shavings.

However, prevention is better than cure, so we use our expert donkey knowledge and take precautions to try and avoid donkeys like Snowy getting laminitis. We have to introduce them to the lush green grass very slowly. We do this by strip grazing which means we move the fence just a little each day so that we can monitor how much rich grass the donkeys are eating. Because donkeys need lots of fibre in their diets, we supplement their restricted grass with straw, or in the case of the elderly donkeys with poor teeth, chaff which is nice and easy to chew and digest. So fingers crossed, with our help, Snowy and her friends will have a happy, laminitis free summer!

Don't forget The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth is open 365 days a year, from 9am until dusk and admission is free, so if you are planning a holiday to Devon this summer, the donkeys would love to see you. For those of you further up the country, The Derbyshire Centre near Buxton will be holding their summer fair on Sunday 5th September from 11am-3pm with free admission, and a group of adorable donkeys waiting to meet you.

If you would like to learn more about donkeys, or visiting us, please visit our website www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk or
call 01395 578222

FEATURED ARTICLES:

• St James's Place Wealth Management - news bulletin
  
• Latest HomePage Offers
• Ken Muir
  
• Latest News from our legal section
  
• Featured Article -Kinship Carers celebrate Budget announcement to tackle discrimination in benefits system
  
• Latest Current Offers & Partnerships
• Aviva
• Direct Line
• Gardening
• Pet Insurance
• Padders
• Genes Reunited
• Blooming Direct
• Holidays
• New Affiliates
  
• The Grandparents' Association
• Dogs for the Disabled
• The Donkey Sanctuary
• Starlight Childrens Foundation
  

Ken Muir - Special Discounts on fruit trees and bushes from leading suppliers

10% discount off already very competitive prices on everything you require for your pond and water garden - Bradshaw Direct

5% discount from world leading rose grower - David Austin Roses

discount of £5.00 off cost of membership - Royal Horticultural Society

10% discount off best available rates - Q Hotels

10% discount from leading inland waterways holiday

providerup to 25% discount on Warners Leisure

holidays 5% discount off holidays with Shearings

up to 10% discount on car hire through Enterprise Car Rentals

introductory discount from Tanners Wines

15% discount on high quality plants from Blooming Direct

25% discount available for RAC breakdown cover

10% discount with Blackmoor Nurseries

"As a grandparent you are special to us.

We are continually searching for discounts and deals that we can bring to you together with informative site links which give quality information.

We hope you will recommend us to your friends and get them to register for our newsletter to keep them up to date."

WHATS NEW IN OUR WEBSITE THIS MONTH....

The rates are very competitive with the introductory discounts from:

Aviva -- 12 months cover for the price of 10

--------------------------------------

Direct line -- 52 days of free cover

Neither of these companies are featured on comparison sites.

For each car insurance transacted through the Grandparents Club site we shall donate £10 to our supported charities.

----------------------------------------

GARDENING

Hopefully as we enter Spring the temperatures will improve and we shall be able to get into and enjoy our gardens. Grandparents Club have some very attractive discounts available from a number of leading suppliers, from water gardens, roses, fruit trees and bushes and plants to garden furniture and sundries. Please go to our Garden page for further information.

---------------------------------------

Pet insurance

More Th>n have increased their online discount to 30% making this already very competitive product even more competitive.
---------------------------

Padders Shoes have their new Ladies Spring and Summer collection of shoes.
----------------------------


Pavers Shoes also have new products and up to 30% discounts are available

---------------------------------------

Comprehensive census records available for the period 1841 to 1901

Blooming Direct have not only some wonderful value garden bedding plants at excellent prices but much much more . Visit their site and have a look and don't forget there are further 15% discounts available via Grandparents Club.

----------------------------
Holidays on the water

Most of the holiday companies featured on our site have attractive deals currently available. Cruising on the many and varied European rivers is becoming more popular and we have offerings from Shearings Holidays or if complete freedom of your own boat is required Le Boat operate throughout Europe as well as the Norfolk Broads.

--------------------------------------

NEW AFFILIATES

• Old Bailey
• Butler & Wilson at QVC
• Elegance Design and Fashion
• ISubscribe
• Magazine Group
• Not in The High Street
• Qantas
• Premier Inn
• Tackle Shop

• Times Online/Medical
• English Heritage

View St James's Place Monday Market Bulletin and Market Update.

VIEW OUR HOME PAGE FOR LATEST OFFERS

Introducing Ken Muir offering us special discounts on fruit trees and bushes.

Leading UK, long established and highly regarded award winning suppliers of Fruit Trees and related products. Ken Muir offers a wide selection of the good old favourites together with newer fruit varieties all DEFRA certified and of the highest quality. Grandparent Club members will enjoy a 10% discount (not available to be used in conjunction with other offers or special promotions) Please quote discount reference GPC10

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LATEST NEWS FROM OUR LEGAL SECTION

25 March 2010 - New Toddler Tax Credit and more help for grandparents - Cooper

Families earning less than £50,000 a year who have children under three years old will get an extra £200 a year in a new Toddler Tax Credit, Yvette Cooper confirmed today.

The Government already provides extra help for families with babies and free nursery school and childcare places when children are three years old. These new measures will provide more support for 885,000 families with toddlers when costs can be high and when many parents want to stay at home or work part-time.

Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

"This toddler tax credit gives parents more help and choice when they need it most. It will give families with young children an extra £200 a year in their pockets at a time when many parents want to stay at home or work part time."

Yvette Cooper also announced that grandparents, or other family members, who step in to raise children in times of family difficulty, will be up to £56 per child a week better off due to changes in the benefit system.

The measures will be paid for by the Department for Work and Pensions. New automated benefit processes and additional rigorous checks to prevent overpayment errors are expected to save £200m a year which will fund these measures for families.

Yvette Cooper said:

"We will spend £10m to put more money into the pockets of family members like grandparents who step in and bring up their grandchildren when their families are going through hard times.

"These people are often unsung heroes, who have not been properly recognised by the benefit system up to now. They will now be up to £56 a week better off as they will be able to keep the money they receive to care for their grandchildren, as well as their housing and council tax benefit."

Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP can be contacted on 0121 212 7418 or www.anthonycollins.com.

FEATURED ARTICLE

Kinship Carers celebrate Budget announcement to tackle discrimination in benefits system

The Grandparents' Association supports the announcement to tackle discrimination in the benefits system.

Lynn Chesterman CE of The Grandparents' Association was one of the representatives of the Kinship Care Alliance who attended meetings with ministers and senior civil servants of the DCSF and the DWP.

From these meetings the Government was persuaded to cut out some of the anomalies that went against friends and family carers.

Lynn Chesterman supports the comments of Cathy Ashley CE of Family Rights Group who said,

"The Government is to be congratulated for having listened to family and friends carers. This measure will ensure that family and friends carers who have stepped in to raise a child - who might otherwise be in state care and who receive some payment from the local authority specifically to help with the costs of the child - aren't penalised in terms of reductions in their Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit. We believe significantly more still need to be done, including the introduction of a national financial allowance and support system to enable more children who are in the care system to live safely and securely with their wider family and to assist many children who are currently living with impoverished family and friends carers. Today's announcement is just a first step, but important nonetheless."

Charity No 1105977

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The biggest relationship survey for grandparents: Q&A with Professor Bob Broad of London South Bank University

Why is it important to conduct a survey of grandparents' views?

It's important to find ways, like this survey, by which you as grandparents can make a bigger and more powerful contribution to debates and public policies affecting you and your grandchildren.

Additionally where there are ‘messages about grandparenting', these are not necessarily messages of grandparents but messages about grandparenting, from others speaking for them, as it were. While these are also valuable, it's essential that grandparents' own voices, views and experiences are collected to provide evidence of grandparents' experiences. Currently the views of grandparents about issues affecting them and their grandchildren remain largely anecdotal or missing altogether, or grandparents themselves are misunderstood or marginalised.

It's also timely to conduct this survey now, given current political changes; Support for All, the families and relationships Green Paper (DCSF, 2010), which highlights the government's take on the role of grandparents; and ongoing developments in social care about 24/7 or kinship care.

Why use a survey rather than individual interviews?

The advantages of surveys are that they can reach and describe the characteristics of a larger number of people, their results can be statistically significant, and they are relatively inexpensive. Additionally standardised questions make statistical analysis more precise and allow comparisons between different groups - between those grandparents who are mainly kinship carers, those who provide significant child care, and those who are or have been denied contact with their grandchildren.

Why is it a survey only of those grandparents who specifically are 24/7 carers for their grandchildren or provide 30+ hours of childcare for them or are denied contact - and not any others?

Because previous research, together with the experiences of grandparents brought to the attention of The Grandparents' Association, strongly suggests that it's grandparents in these situations who may be significant in terms of numbers and who may need more understanding and services provision, yet are likely to fall between two stools - on the one hand, identified or expressed need and, on the other, services provision. This doesn't mean there aren't other issues that also need to be addressed.

Is it important for surveys to have large numbers of replies?

Higher response rates are more likely to provide significant data and findings from which you can generalise. Lower response rates still generate new and important findings, though they will mean that you can't generalise from them - i.e. suggest that what grandparents in the survey say is likely to be what all grandparents say.

What difference will this survey's findings make?

We expect it to provide evidence of need, to record the ways grandparents' relationships are affected in these three situations, and to further raise the profile of the vital issues facing grandparents, their grandchildren and their families.

Will there be a report produced of its findings?

Once the findings are analysed by the university, the final report will be published by The Grandparents' Association to highlight the impact of caring full time, of providing significant levels of childcare, and of being denied contact with their grandchildren on grandparents' relationships. There will also be information about those findings on the Grandparents' Association website.

More about the survey

* Grandparents' Voices: A survey of grandparents' views about relationships

FEATURED ARTICLES:

• St James's Place Wealth Management - news bulletin
  
• Latest home page offers
• Latest News from our legal section
  
• Latest Current Offers & Partnerships
• Gardening
  
• Matchmaking
• Fishing
• Car Insurance
• Beauty & Health
• Gardening
• Clothing
  
• The Grandparents' Association
• Dogs for the Disabled
• The Donkey Sanctuary
• Starlight Childrens Foundation
  

10% discount off already very competitive prices for water garden features - Bradshaw Direct

5% discount from world leading rose grower - David Austin Roses

discount of £5.00 off cost of membership - Royal Horticultural Society

10% discount off best available rates - Q Hotels

10% discount from leading inland waterways holiday

providerup to 25% discount on Warners Leisure

holidays5% discount off holidays with Shearings

up to 10% discount on car hire through Enterprise Car Rentals

introductory discount from Tanners Wines

15% discount on high quality plants from Blooming Direct

25% discount available for RAC breakdown cover

10% discount with Blackmoor Nurseries

"As a grandparent you are special to us.

We are continually searching for discounts and deals that we can bring to you together with informative site links which give quality information.

We hope you will recommend us to your friends and get them to register for our newsletter to keep them up to date."

Tony Baylis

WHATS NEW IN OUR WEBSITE THIS MONTH....

MATCHMAKING ... Find your perfect partner. By popular demand we bring you a number of affiliates who specialise in matchmaking!

Â

LEISURE & DAYS OUT - FISHING

We have included a section for this very popular activity under Leisure and Days Out and will be adding to it further over the coming months.

Â

Special offers are now available from

Aviva -- 12 months cover for the price of 10

Direct line -- 52 days of free cover

The rates are very competitive with the introductory discounts. Neither of these companies are featured on comparison sites.
For each car insurance transacted through the Grandparents Club site we shall donate £10 to our supported charities.

We have added two high quality skincare product companies Echium Skin Care and Pai Skincare

Â

Welcome to our March Newsletter

View St James's Place Monday Market Bulletin and Market Update.

VIEW OUR HOME PAGE FOR LATEST OFFERS

A recently published green paper by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), entitled "Support for All: the Families and Relationships" 1 makes it clear the value that grandparents give to families and makes clear that the Government seeks to "improve the information for grandparents in seeking to maintain their relationships with their grandchildren after parental separation and divorce".

The green paper also makes reference to the issue of grandparents seeking leave of the court to make applications in respect of their grandchildren and the Government is seeking to remove the need to do so in respect of applications for contact by grandparents. In addition it seems clear that the Government will seek to improve the information available to grandparents about legal and other options available to ensure that the relationship between grandchildren and their grandparents is maintained. Given the recent increase in public law proceedings by Local Authority's this may begin to assist grandparents who wish to assist when families have reached a crisis point that requires intervention by social services.

The green paper welcomes responses and these can be left at the DCSF consultation site 3. The consultation, which closes on 21 April 2010

A further positive indicator of the recent changes which have begun to fully recognise the importance of grandparents is the Supreme Court case of In Re B (A Child) [2009] UKSC 5 2 where a grandmother was successful in her appeal against a decision to transfer residence of her grandchild, who had lived with her since birth, to the child's father. This case also made very clear that in a case between private individuals were a child's custody or upbringing is in question; the welfare of the child is the paramount consideration. Given the views of the majority of grandparents are that they want the best for their grandchildren the courts views will simply echo the wishes of grandparents.

As we are all too aware unfortunately when family relationships breakdown the impact on relationships between grandparents and their grandchildren can be jeopardised to the determent of both. The green papers recommendation to promote mediation and explore other means of reaching families earlier, are therefore to be welcomed.

Clearly how this wil translate into the day to day lives of families is unclear. In the interim grandparents can continue to seek advice and where necessary look to apply to the courts for leave to make applications to maintain contact with their grandchildren to ensure that the essential bond between grandchildren and their grandparents is maintained.

Paul Nursall www.anthonycollins.com

Hopefully as we enter Spring the temperatures will improve and we shall be able to get into and enjoy our gardens. Grandparents Club have some very attractive discounts available from a number of leading suppliers, from water gardens, roses, fruit trees and bushes and plants to garden furniture and sundries. Please go to our Garden page for further information.

Â

Fivedads.com allows you to maintain that special bond that is created through reading with children even when they cannot be there to tuck them in in person.

When the story is received, it can be listened to diectly from the computer, downloaded to an iPod, or one can burn a CD for playback where convenient.

As children follow along with their copy of the storybook, they are promted to "now turn the page" to help the youngest readers. If need be, visitors can even order a copy of the storybook they have recorded from our Fivedads Bookshop through Amazon.

Grandparents Club members and visitors receive a special fee discount of 20% - quote voucher code GCLUB20. Visit their site for further information.

Â

Many special offers are available at the moment but in particular the discounts being offered by Joseph Turner , Charles Tyrwhitt and Savile Row

FEATURED ARTICLES:

• Action Kids
• Padders
• Pavers Shoes
  
• Temptation Gifts
• Charlie Bears
• Charles Tyrwhitt
• Ideal World
• Sainsbury's
• Gems TV
• Thorntons
  
• The Grandparents' Association
• Dogs for the Disabled
• The Donkey Sanctuary
• Starlight Childrens Foundation
  

"As a grandparent you are special to us.

We are continually searching for discounts and deals that we can bring to you together with informative site links which give quality information.

We hope you will recommend us to your friends and get them to register for our newsletter to keep them up to date." -

Tony Baylis

Welcome to Padders the favourite choice for stylish, wide-fitting, comfort footwear. With an extensive choice of award winning men's and ladies footwear for any occasion, excellent value for money and above all quality and style - all your footwear problems are solved.

VIEW MORE

Pavers Shoes stock a fabulous range of famous footwear incorporating fashion, comfort and style all at excellent value with savings of at least 30% off RRP! Brands include the exclusive Fly Flot, the revolutionary Italian comfort footwear brand.

VIEW MORE

UK Gift Retailer of the year 2008. On Line Gift Retailer of the year 2009. A very wide range of gifts, some unusual but all at very competitive prices. This is a very 'tempting' site from a company formed over 25 years ago that enjoys an excellent reputation for overall customer service.....

VIEW MORE

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Charlie Bears

These superb bears are not only collectable and adorable but also very affordable. VIEW MORE

Welcome to our December Newsletter

Welcome to our Action Kids world - the ideal Christmas present that lasts all year long!

Action Kids is Physical Development with Fun! for children up to the age of seven years. It's about helping children grow and learn in a safe environment, amongst their peers, with the country's best educational provider of fun sessions using music, movement and games, creative storytelling and imaginative play.   READ MORE

Does your hearing loss stop you from enjoying the theatre?

With all the theatre productions available over the festive period you may be interested to know that STAGETEXT offer a visual alternative for those with hearing loss. Captions are similar to television subtitles; the actors' words appear on a display unit (or units) next to the stage at the same time as they are spoken or sung enabling anyone with a hearing loss to enjoy theatre once again. READ MORE

 

Charles Tyrwitt offer best quality shirts plus other formal and casual wear and a wide range of accessories. Success has been based on price and quality. Promotional discounts are often available and there is a three month full refund or exchange policy. VIEW MORE

Ideal World for Crafts

Ideal World has everything you require. Huge range of gifts and sets of craft materials are available. VIEW MORE

The UK's third largest supermarket founded in 1869 offers great food and a wide non food range. For quality and value at Christmas

look no further. VIEW MORE

Gems TV
View the largest collection of coloured gemstone jewellery on line. Unbelievable prices on rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets and necklaces. If you are disappointed there is a 10 day return policy. VIEW MORE

Probably the UK's best known supplier of luxury chocolates. A mouth watering range including organic, fair-trade and no added sugar. VIEW MORE

FEATURED ARTICLES:

 

• St James's Place Wealth Management

• Spa Breaks

• Blooming Direct

• David Austin Roses

• UK Pet Friendly Hotels

• Liz Earle

• Boots

• Eurocamp Motor Home Holidays

• Lastminute.com

• The Grandparents' Association

• Dogs for the Disabled

• The Donkey Sanctuary

• Starlight Childrens Foundation

 

 

 

"As a grandparent you are special to us.

We are continually searching for discounts and deals that we can bring to you together with informative site links which give quality information.

We hope you will recommend us to your friends and get them to register for our newsletter to keep them up to date." -

Tony Baylis

 

 

Welcome to our NEW LOOK November Newsletter

Fed up with the English weather and need to seek some Winter sun or plan for next years holiday?

Would you like to know more about finding a holiday where grandparents can go FREE or grandparent and toddlers get DISCOUNTS?

Well look no further than The Grandparents Club website which brings you exciting new additions to the site. View our Holiday section for more details

PET FRIENDLY HOTELS

HOTEL SPAS - Alternatively, kick of your shoes and relax at a Hotel Spa Break - see section below for details

 

FEATURED ARTICLES:

• St James's Place Wealth Management - news bulletin
  
• Late Rooms
• Royal Horticultural Society
• Latest home page offers
• Holiday special deals
  
• New Press and Media Page
  
• Latest Current Offers & Partneships
• New Legal Page
• New Useful Sites
• New Ancestry
  
• Vets Corner
  
• The Grandparents' Association
• Dogs for the Disabled
• The Donkey Sanctuary
• Starlight Childrens Foundation
  

10% discount off already very competitive prices for water garden features - Bradshaw Direct

5% discount from world leading rose grower - David Austin Roses

discount of £5.00 off cost of membership - Royal Horticultural Society

10% discount off best available rates - Q Hotels

10% discount from leading inland waterways holiday

providerup to 25% discount on Warners Leisure

holidays5% discount off holidays with Shearings

up to 10% discount on car hire through Enterprise Car Rentals

introductory discount from Tanners Wines

15% discount on high quality plants from Blooming Direct

25% discount available for RAC breakdown cover

10% discount with Blackmoor Nurseries

"As a grandparent you are special to us.

We are continually searching for discounts and deals that we can bring to you together with informative site links which give quality information.

We hope you will recommend us to your friends and get them to register for our newsletter to keep them up to date."

Tony Baylis

WHATS NEW IN OUR WEBSITE THIS MONTH....

NEW LEGAL PAGES
Need to find a solicitor who specialises in family law? - look no further than those provided by The Grandparents Association. Some solicitors offer 20 mins free initial advice.

NEW ANCESTRY SECTION
See our quick links to searching thrugh your family history. Trace long lost friends, work colleagues and distant relatives.

USEFUL SITES

Never be stuck for somewhere to visit when you have an ENTERTAINMENT SECTION on our website packed with days out ideas, and place to visit.

 

Welcome to our February Newsletter

View St James's Place Monday Market Bulletin and Market Update.

Take advantage of Up to 70% discount on hundreds and thousands of hotel rooms world wide. No booking fee, book on line or by phone and pay the hotel on departure.

Share RHS Membership with your family with RHS Joint Membership. RHS Gardens are a great place to meet friends and bring the family, where children can experience true escapism and enjoy all the simple pleasures that our gardens have to offer. We are offering Grandparent Club Members £5 off membership.

VIEW OUR HOME PAGE FOR LATEST OFFERS with up to 70% of M7S, Mothercare, Lonely Planet, Avon, Disneyland Paris, Boden, House of Fraser and many more.....

 

Take advantage of our specialy arranged deals from

Shearings

Warners

Q Hotels

UK Boat Hire

Keycamp

Eurocamp

Disneyland Paris

 

VET CORNER

Holidays and pets

The holiday season will soon be upon us and many of us are looking forward to a week or so away from the usual routine. These days our pets are increasingly part of our holiday plans and there are several options to ensure they are well cared for and safe during the family holiday.


Many dogs travel with their owners on holidays in the UK and increasingly holiday accommodation will accept dogs provided they are clean and treated for fleas. Dogs generally enjoy the change of scene and there is little to prepare beyond arranging some tick prevention if planning a trip to the countryside and ensuring safe travel in the car with a harness or dog guard. Your vet can advise you on the most appropriate products for your trip.

Not all holidays are suitable for pets, if travel is not an option then kennels and catteries offer a safe alternative. We are fortunate to have several excellent kennels and catteries in our area with experienced caring owners and purpose built pet accommodation. Many kennels will be happy to show you around and explain their care routine. Of course a kennel will never be as comfortable as your home but they are warm, clean and safe and usually provide some stimulation appropriate to the pet.

Kennels and catteries will always require proof that your pet's vaccinations are up to date to protect the health of all its animal guests and will take note of any special dietary or medical requirements. Pets often settle easier with their own bedding and toys and a special calming pheromone can help them to relax. These are available as plug- in diffusers, sprays and even collars and may be useful in other situations where your pet exhibits signs of stress such as travelling in the car.

Another option is to employ a pet sitting service. The local companies who provide this service match your pet with one of their carer families and encourage you to meet and introduce your pet to them in advance. A happy pet sitting partnership can last many years and is especially good for nervous pets or those requiring special care. Many owners say their pets have had as good a holiday as they have!

Whatever you choose to arrange make sure your pet's carer has your contact details, knows your vet and has your agreement to authorise any treatment your pet may need to ensure any health concerns are dealt with as soon as possible. Then, go on holiday with the peace of mind that your pets are safe and well cared for.

www.avonvets.co.uk

See our Pet Friendly Hotels and Other Pet Holidays

FEATURED ARTICLES:

• St James's Place Wealth Management - news bulletin
  
• Q Hotels - special offer for Grandparents Club!
  
• Useful medical sites
• Padders Xmas update
• Padders Footcare
• Paramountzone
• Lovefilm
• Filmbug
• Charles Tyrwitt - offers
  
• L&G Insurance - offers
  
• Mothercare
• Legal aid and applications to see grandchildren
  
• Top tips for virus protection on your PC
• Shearings Holidays
• Pavers Shoes
  
• Vets Corner
  
• The Grandparents' Association
• Dogs for the Disabled
• The Donkey Sanctuary
• Starlight Childrens Foundation
  

"As a grandparent you are special to us.

We are continually searching for discounts and deals that we can bring to you together with informative site links which give quality information.

We hope you will recommend us to your friends and get them to register for our newsletter to keep them up to date."

Tony Baylis

Shearings - 2010 holiday brochure now available with big savings.

Save up to 70% winter sale for comfortable and stylish footwear.

VET CORNER - Is vaccination important?

As science and medical technology develops we are able to vaccinate against an increasing number of diseases which would have proved debilitating or even fatal in the past. So effective is this programme that many human diseases have become rare in our western society and we forget their long term impact upon health.

The same is true in the animal world. It is true that vets see cases of Distemper, Parvovirus and Leptosprosis in dogs and Enteritis, Leukaemia and Flu in cats less frequently these days but this is not because the diseases have been irradicated. It is more due to the numbers of responsible animal owners who ensure their pets are regularly vaccinated. These diseases are still out there and in fact Parvovirus can live in the soil for up to a year so no contact with infected animals is necessary to contract it.

It is hugely upsetting for vets and owners to see a pet that has contracted one of these preventable illnesses because the symptoms are often very distressing with very little hope of recovery. Those few pets that do pull through after intensive veterinary nursing are often left with irreparable damage to their vital organs. Cases of puppies with Parvovirus and young cats with cat flu are still regularly to be found being treated in our special isolation kennels at Avonvale.

Vaccination is routine, effective and relatively inexpensive. Both dogs and cats need an initial primary course which comprises two injected doses of the combined vaccine usually 2 - 3 weeks apart. Unlike human vaccinations these need to be ‘boosted' every year with a annual booster injection to maintain lifelong immunity.

Now is a good time to check if your pet's vaccinations are up to date. If you have lapsed and the vaccinations are more than 3 months out of date your pet will need the complete primary course again to ensure full protection against disease.

For more information about vaccination contact your local veterinary surgery.

www.avonvets.co.uk

Charles Tyrwitt offer best quality shirts CHRISTMAS SALE NOW ON. Save up to 65% of men's shirts. VIEW MORE

Receive £50 worth of M&S vouchers for those applying for Legal & General Over 50s Life Insurance. READ MORE

Don't miss the mothercare sale with "up to half price" off.

This includes up to £100 off nursery items, and up to 50% off clothing and maternity, and feeding items.

Up to 30% off bedding, bathing and safety equipment.

Welcome to our January Newsletter

Nowt from the Noughties
Well it's out with the Noughties and in with a new decade - yet to be given a colloquial nomenclature. The media took a look into the rear view mirror to mull over what the last ten year years have meant for investors globally and came to the conclusion that the outcomes were mixed and surprising. Those who had hoped that equities would continue to do what they had done for a hundred years or more were disappointed.

View St James's Place Monday Market Bulletin and Market Update.

Special Offers - Q Hotels 10% off best prices for grandparents club members and visitors

articles@grandparentsclub.co.uk

Old Padders shoeboxes recycled by Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child is the UK's largest children's Christmas appeal and has been running for over 19 years. Thanks to a huge army of volunteers who give their time to help make this Christmas 'miracle' come to life, they are able to deliver gift-filled shoeboxes to children in Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Padders are very well placed to support Operation Christmas Child by supplying empty shoeboxes to the charity and are delighted to do so. The Northampton branch of the charity sent out over 9000 gift boxes to children in disadvantaged situations this year and last year over 1.2 million shoeboxes packed full of gifts and goodies were sent from the UK.

For more information about this charity visit www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk

The Healthy Footwear Guide
There is a slowly increasing body of evidence to support the belief that footwear is potentially harmful to the human foot. In November 2007, the findings of an expert group consensus event were published, in which the criteria for the recognition of healthy footwear were considered and agreed. The group comprised of expert representatives from both clinical and industry backgrounds.

Following this work, the group has reconvened as an Executive Committee known as "The Healthy Footwear Group". The purpose of this group is to actively translate the findings of the consensus event into practice, in the form of a "Healthy Footwear Guidelines" scheme.
Padders are pleased to say that they are on the Executive Committee, as they believe that it is an excellent initiative and will help customers choose appropriate footwear for their needs.
Lookout for the Healthy Footwear Guide logo throughout our brochure, which shows footwear that meets all the criteria of the guide.

For more information please visit www.healthy-footwear-guide.com

Gadgets, toys and other unique gifts at great prices. Fast UK delivery and excellent customer service.

www.paramountzone.com

DVDs by post. Over 65,000 DVDs, games and blu-ray films available for rental or to buy. Free first class postal return. No contract required and no late fees. www.lovefilm.com

A detailed guide to film and television with biographies, facts and photos of over 11.000 actors, directors and other celebrities. www.filmbug

LEGAL AID AND APPLICATIONS TO SEE GRANDCHILDREN

Although grandparents are becoming more aware that they can apply to court for contact with their grandchildren, there is still uncertainty or a misapprehension as to whether they can get Legal Funding (or Legal Aid as it is more commonly known) to assist with their legal costs.

Legal Funding and whether a person qualifies for it is a complicated issue particularly as the Legal Services Commission have stringent and complicated tests that they use.

Read more: Legal Aid and applications to see grandchildren

TOP TIPS FOR VIRUS PROTECTION ON YOUR PC

Use virus protection software to stop viruses coming into your computer. Viruses are computer programs that cause some kind of harm to your computer. Antivirus software detects possible threats and identifies viruses. It spots them, quarantines them and fixes the problem. It also removes attachments that have viruses.

Install an anti-virus program on your computer to keep these malicious programs from getting into your computer. These programs can destroy your files, damage your programs and ruin your computer.

Understand that a firewall stops hackers from coming in to your computer. It acts like a real wall that blocks intruders. A firewall program on your computer evaluates the danger of Internet sites. Make sure you have a firewall for your computer.

Use a spy ware removal program to block people from installing programs in your computer. Installed programs can take your personal information and send it back to where it came from. Unknown people can gain access to your credit card numbers and financial information.

Scan your computer regularly with your anti-virus software or choose automatic scan option during installation so that the program will check your computer at regular intervals.

Update your software regularly by visiting the anti-virus program's site or choose automatic during installation so the program updates itself.

Protect your computer by using virus protection software, spyware detectors and a firewall. Although spyware programs and firewalls are not types of virus protection software, they often come packaged together because you need all three to protect your computer fully.