Short debate for a Charter for Grandchildren held in plenary in the National Assembly of Wales

Dear Friends and Members,

There was a short debate for a Charter for Grandchildren held in plenary in the National Assembly of Wales which was opened by Janet Finch-Saunders AM with the full support of the Conservative Group in the Assembly.

I would have thought such a debate would have had the full attention of the other members but only the Deputy Minister for Social Services Gwenda Thomas AM was in attendance.
The Charter for Grandchildren is based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and it was those very rights that the Deputy Minister used to advise that the Charter would just confuse.

The minster pointed out that the Welsh Government had “Children’s Measures” in place which placed a duty on Welsh Ministers to have due regard to the UNCRC which is somewhat different to children having rights enshrined in law as she was implying.

Furthermore the minister spoke of Families First, Flying Start, and Communities First which are all part of the Integrated Family Support Service and all very commendable and we as a charity welcome support for families but that relates in the main to poverty and nothing to do with access to grand/parents by children.

The minister was eloquent in her defence of the Welsh Government’s commitment to children and the support of families that I wonder why, is it a fact, that there are so many charities saying different.
Why is it that we have so many charities funded by the same government that have opposing views regarding children not being heard. That is what is confusing!

Only last week another charity was commissioned “Children Screaming to be Heard” and one wonders how can that be, children needing to be heard when in Wales we have a minister in the National Assembly Senedd stating that children are listened to in accordance with the articles in the UNCRC.

Something is not right and grand/parents denied access to the children they love, know it.
No wonder grand/parents lose heart when our leaders give them no hope, but there is hope, and this hope stems from a political group in Wales bringing the plight of children denied access to their grand/parents to the attention of government and it is that hope that we can build on for a better future for our children.

I hope all is well with you.

Frank
Grandparents Apart Wales