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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...
SGO Support Group Barnsley
Who is the group for? Special Guardians who have an SGO for child(ren) they care for
Where does the group meet? The Hub, Westgate, Barnsley
Who runs the group? BMBC Post SGO Team
How often does the group meet? Every 2nd Thursday of the month, 10am-12pm
Additional Information: All carers are invited to attend the group, which allows them to meet other carers. During the group session carers share their own experiences of caring for a child(ren) under an SGO. We have guest speaker who offer an insight into their services they offer. The group has a wide range of speakers. The team are there to offer support and consultations after the support group if required.
Newton Aycliffe kinship carers
Who is the group for? Kinship carers
Where does the group meet? The Veterans Hub, Center, Newton Aycliffe DL5 6DS
Who runs the group? Kinship carers
How often does the group meet? Every other Tuesday - 10am to 12 noon
Durham City kinship care group
Who is the group for? Kinship carers
Who runs the group? Kinship carers
Consett kinship care group
Melanie
Who is the group for? Kinship carers
Where does the group meet? Maddisons cafe, 26 Front St, Consett, DH8 5AQ
Who runs the group? Kinship carers
How often does the group meet? Third Tuesday of each month - 10 am to 12 noon
Easington kinship care group
Michelle
Who is the group for? Kinship carers
Where does the group meet? Easington Welfare Centre, Seaside Lane South (Back), Peterlee SR8 3PL
Who runs the group? Kinship carers
County Durham Kinship Carers
Who is the group for? Kinship carers
Where does the group meet? Online - please contact for details
Who runs the group? Kinship carers
Peterlee Kinship Carers Group
Chrissi / Josie
Who is the group for? Kinship carers
Where does the group meet? The Pavillion, Helford Road, SR8 1ER
Additional Information: Build friendships. Share experiences. Access to support services. Refreshments, tea, coffee
Together for Children Sunderland Connected Support Group
Who is the group for? Connected Foster Carers, Special Guardians and kinship carers
Where does the group meet? Venues around Sunderland and Washington
Who runs the group? Members of the Connected Carers Team
How often does the group meet? Monthly
Additional Information: Please contact the team for any further information – Connectedcarers@togetherforchildren.org.uk
North East Regional Kinship Group
Who is the group for? For any kinship carers from Middlesbrough to Northumberland and across to Redcar and Cleveland. Come together online each month to chat to other kinship carers in the North East
Where does the group meet? Online - see https://compass.kinship.org.uk/groups/north-east-kinship-group/
Who runs the group? Kinship (formerly known as Grandparents Plus)
How often does the group meet? Monthly on Mondays. See website for more details: https://compass.kinship.org.uk/groups/north-east-kinship-group/
Blyth Coffee Morning
Who is the group for? Kinship carers
Where does the group meet? Blyth West Family Hub, Devonworth Place, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 5AQ
Who runs the group? Northumberland Kinship Team, Northumberland County Council
How often does the group meet? Monthly on a Friday in term time, 9.30am to 11am. Please call 01670 626262 to check times and let Lauren know that you will be attending
Additional Information: Children are welcome to attend with kinship carers
Salford Kinship
Who is the group for? Friends and family (kinship) and mainstream carers
Where does the group meet? Variety of locations across the city
Who runs the group? Fostering support workers
How often does the group meet? Monthly
Additional Information: Men’s evening group – monthly | Women’s evening group – Monthly | Day time support group – Monthly |Foster families’ fun days - each school holiday
Kinship North West Regional Group
Who is the group for? For any kinship carers from Cheshire to Cumbria and across to Manchester
Where does the group meet? Online - see website for details: https://compass.kinship.org.uk/groups/north-west-kinship-group/
Who runs the group? Kinship (formerly known as Grandparent's Plus)
How often does the group meet? Monthly on Tuesdays - see website for details: https://compass.kinship.org.uk/groups/north-west-kinship-group/
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