Increasing numbers of grandchildren in the UK are experiencing ongoing loss and grief from missing their living, loved and safe grandparent. Based on a 2022 ComRes survey, this forced separation affects an estimated 2 million each of grandchildren and grandparents i.e.

• a sixth of the UK’s under-16 population and

• an eighth of the UK’s 45+ population respectively

This separation is having significant wellbeing impacts on grandchildren's growth, development, wellbeing and resilience. The grandchild has no safe space to talk about the loss of their grandparent in their life - they cannot risk their parent's anger or further alienating behaviours; schools (who do not have appropriate resources to support them) are often silenced or threatened with complaints. Plus grandchildren's own rights are often conflated or muddled up with their parents' rights.

In addition, grandparents, as well as experiencing a similar loss and grief process, are currently receiving police cautions and harassment orders for sending their grandchildren birthday and special occasions.

We believe some simple policy, practice and legal changes are required to ensure that grandchildren have the right to and are enabled to maintain their relationship with their living, loved and safe grandparents.

Find out more here