Taking Action > Overview
they didn’t know which category I came under ... I wasn’t a single parent ... staff at Centrelink did not know, or want to know, about the Grandcarer situation...
Grandcarers have been one of the most invisible and isolated segments of our community. Until very recently their existence had not been widely acknowledged by mainstream society, government structures or services. The practical consequence of this invisibility is that Grandcarers have been isolated from policy planning and decisions regarding important issues that directly impact their ability to parent their grandchildren. Indeed, to-date, service providers, professional interests, and research entities have provided the bulk of policy advice to governments regarding these issues. 
What can I do?
To generate credible solutions and services that are able to accommodate ‘non-traditional’ family structures and circumstances, the politicians who represent you need to be made aware of the issues important to Grandcarers.
One way to achieve this is to write to the relevant state and federal ministers:
- Child Protection; Communities; Women's Interests; Seniors and Volunteering
- Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
You could also write to your own state and federal government representatives. Although, regardless to whom you write, it is important that your letter outlines your individual circumstances and details how the current systems do not meet your needs.
To assist you in this task, a number of websites have been identified that provide suggestions on the content and structure for such letters.
- Alzheimer’s Australia is the peak body providing support and advocacy for Australians living with dementia. They have produced a sample letter to assist carers, and individuals living with dementia, to write about their concerns and the issues.
- Rethink, is an English mental health charity that has produced two draft letters: (1) to remind authorities about the need for carers services; (2) to complain that a care plan or assessment has not identified the carer’s needs correctly.
IMPORTANT! These letters would need to be tailored to reflect both Grandcarers issues and local circumstances.
More general information, including tips for contacting members of parliament and the pros and cons of different forms of contact, has been located on a page called How to Get Politicians' Attention. This page is provided by Electronic Frontiers Australia Inc. (EFA), a non-profit Australian organisation concerned with internet freedoms and rights.
Another way is to work together, and alongside other carers, to maximise your voice and influence over your lives and the structures and services that are meant to support you.
- The Centre for Civil Society is one organisation that is working toward developing a National Voice for Parents, Families and Carers.
- Grandparents Rearing Grandchildren (WA) is a locally based advocacy organisation for people who have suddenly or unexpectedly found that they have become parents again.
- Grandparents Victoria is a community association launched in 2001 to link grandparents across the state and the nation and, particularly, to represent the views of grandparents in public consultations.
- Families Australia is an independent peak not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the needs and interests of families. Families Australia is comprised mainly of organisations, as well as some individuals.
