Grandcarers SA has been recognised for a program supporting around 500 grandparent-led families across South Australia.
The non-profit recognised for its Grandcarers SA Village Program at the 2023 South Australian Volunteer Awards last night (Monday 15 May), winning the ‘Andamooka’ Community Project Award, recognising a project of significant community benefit.
The program, named after the proverb, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’, is supported by a small, dedicated team of volunteers who have contributed about 3,000 hours per year since 2018.
Formerly, Grandparents for Grandchildren, the organisation provides opportunities for local grandcarers to come together in around thirteen locations in South Australia, in an effort to offer support, solidarity and resources and alleviate social isolation.
There are villages across SA including in Adelaide, Victor Harbor, Murray Bridge and Aldgate. (More details via gfgsa.com.au/events).
The 2023 South Australian Volunteer Awards was presented in partnership with Volunteering SA&NT and Young Volunteer Award partner, the Youth Affairs Council of SA (YACSA).
An independent judging panel chaired by the Department of Human Services assessed the nominations. Judges considered nominees’ achievements in relation to their commitment, level of service and how their work benefited the South Australian community.
Collectively, South Australian volunteers contribute an estimated 1.7 million hours of unpaid work each year. The value of that unpaid labour is estimated at almost $5 billion.
File photo of grandparent and child by Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas via pexels.com
