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To speak to an adviser, please call our free and confidential advice line 0808 801 0366 (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3pm, excluding Bank Holidays). Or you can ask us a question via email using our advice enquiry form.
Find a Local Kinship Support Group
Local support groups are run in some areas of England, Scotland and Wales for kinship carers raising children who cannot live with their parents. These support groups are run by different organisations including local authorities or charities or are self organised by kinship carers. They offer a chance for kinship carers to get together, meet new people and share experiences.
We have been informed about the following current kinship carer support groups. Please do ring the named contact if you wish to confirm details. including meeting hours. Please note that unless a named Family Rights Group contact is provided, the groups and organisations listed below are run independently of Family Rights Group and we are not responsible for their activities.
Family Rights has published a guide on good practice in setting up local kinship care support groups. If you wish to attend a group, rather than set one up, you may still find the guide useful.
If you have set up a support group please can you complete this form and send it though to Yasmin at ychoudhury@frg.org.uk to be included on the website. Could groups whose contact details or meeting times are changing also please inform ychoudhury@frg.org.uk.
Search our listings below for your local support group:
Find a group near you within...
Adfam Kinship Project Peterborough
Who is the group for? The group offers support to kinship families affected by the drug and alcohol use of family members
How often does the group meet? Jane works on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Please contact by phone for further information
Alice Charity Big Cup Project
Who is the group for? The Big Cup project is a free parent and baby group (pre-school), for vulnerable families within the communities of Stoke on Trent and Newcastle under Lyme. Big Cup aims to re-introduce parents/carers and their babies and toddlers back in to the community, improve confidence and self esteem and promote positive parenting. Kinship carers welcome
Where does the group meet? Kidsgrove and Clayton
Who runs the group? Big Cup is run by the Alice charity staff and volunteers
How often does the group meet? Monday (Kidsgrove), Tuesday (Audley), Wednesday (Clayton), Thursday (Chesterton), Friday (Bradwell), 9.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. Refreshments included
Additional Information: www.alicecharity.com
Barnet Special Guardians Group
Who is the group for? Kinship carers
Where does the group meet? St. Paul’s Church, 50 Long Lane, Finchley, N3 2PU
Who runs the group? Barnet Council
How often does the group meet? Group meets once a month. Contact Annie for details
Basildon Evening Support Group
Julie Sollars
Who is the group for? Foster carers group, kinship carers welcome
Where does the group meet? Ely House, Churchill Avenue, Basildon, Essex, SS14 2BQ
Who runs the group? Essex County Council
How often does the group meet? 7:30pm to 9:30pm. Contact facilitator for dates
Berks, Surrey, Hants Kinship Care Family Support Group
Who is the group for? Kinship carers
Where does the group meet? Frimley, Surrey
Who runs the group? Independent
How often does the group meet? Monthly
Berwick Kinship Carers Support Group
Who is the group for? Kinship carers
Where does the group meet? Berwick YHA, Dewar's Lane, Berwick, Northumberland, TD15 1HJ
Who runs the group? Kinship (formerly known as Grandparents Plus)
How often does the group meet? First Wednesday of each month from 10.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m
Bexhill kinship support group
Ann Tucker (kinship carer)
Who is the group for? It is for all kinship carers in the area
Where does the group meet? Sidley Children’s Centre, Bexhill-on-Sea, 121 Ninfield Rd, Bexhill-on-Sea TN39 5BD
Who runs the group? Run independently but supported by Sidley Children’s Centre
How often does the group meet? First Wednesday of the month (10am - 12pm)
Additional Information: For information of local support groups, resources and training opportunities available to kinship carers, email – FamilyFriendsServiceAdmin@eastsussex.gov.uk or call 01323 464040.
Biggin Hill Chill and Chat
Who is the group for? All kinship carers
Where does the group meet? New Life Church (next to Waitrose) Main Road, Biggin Hill, Westham, TN16 3BB
Who runs the group? Kinship (formerly known as Grandparents Plus)
How often does the group meet? Group meets every two weeks on Tuesday mornings from 10.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m
Blyth Kinship Carers Support Group
Who is the group for? Kinship carers
Where does the group meet? The Commissioners Quay Inn, Quay Road, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 3AF
Who runs the group? Kinship (formerly known as Grandparents Plus)
How often does the group meet? Second Tuesday of each month from 10.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m
Bridges Stockton on Tees Support Group
Who is the group for? The group is for grandparents and family carers affected by drug or alcohol misuse. The group provides individual support, counselling and respite breaks
How often does the group meet? Please call for further information or view https://www.bridgesstockton.org/
Brighton and Hove Kinship Support Group
Who is the group for? All family and friends carers
Where does the group meet? Family and Friends Team, Moulsecoomb Hub South, Brighton, BN2 4SE
Who runs the group? Brighton and Hove City Council
How often does the group meet? Monthly on a Wednesday morning between 10.30am and 12pm
Bromley Central Saturday Meet Up
Who is the group for? Kinship carers
Where does the group meet? Mission Café, 8a the Mall, (opposite Argos/Iceland) Bromley, BR1 1TS
Who runs the group? Local kinship carers supported by Kinship (formerly known as Grandparents Plus)
How often does the group meet? Group meet once a month. Contact Sharon for details
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