The site, called BeGrand.net, launches in January 2010. It will provide information, advice and a community for grandparents, who are more important in modern family life than ever…
- 60% of grandparents see one of their grandchildren at least once a week.
- A third of parents turn to their parents for advice before any other source of information.
- Even teenagers still listen to them: 80% say their grandmothers give ‘good advice’.
- 1 in 4 are buying essentials for their new grandchildren.
- Age Concern put the cost of the childcare they provide at £3.9billion; Others put it as high as £50 billion.
But grandparenting is about much more than just practical support. BeGrand.net Chief Operating Officer, Marc Webber, explains:
“The monetary value of grandparents’ time can be measured. What can’t be measured is the love and support they offer to children. BeGrand.net will celebrate that passion and help them fully enjoy one of the most special - yet undervalued - relationships that exists in society.”
The project is part of a government-funded Parent Know How Programme which, via its Innovation fund, uses new and existing media channels to deliver information and support for children and families,
The site will combine grandparent-focused information and advice (from fun activities to serious legal issues) with a community where grandparents can find friends and share problems, advice and ideas. They can set up profiles and get information personalised to their location and interests:
“Millions of grandparents every week are realising the power of the web. They know it is a great destination to talk, share and learn about a whole range of topics. That’s why BeGrand.net’s easy-to-use site will be right down their street. The help and expert support they crave will be in one place, as will thousands of other grandparents enjoying the same exciting journey.”
Who makes up the Consortium?
The three consortium partners came together to combine their experience of website design, knowledge of the issues grandparents face and expertise in engaging with older people online. The members are:
Opportunity Links: who work with local and national government developing innovative solutions for delivering information services to families, as well as older and younger people.
The Grandparents’ Association: a highly-regarded charity with 22 years of experience supporting grandparents, combined with practical knowledge of growing local grandparent communities and peer support networks.
Digital Unite: the UK’s foremost digital inclusion specialists for the over-50s. They help older people enjoy IT. They run a network of professional tutors, as well organising Silver Surfers Day, Britain’s biggest campaign for older people online.
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