Would you like to be a Grandparent?

The Children's Hospital at Westmead is looking for special people to become Ward Grandparents to some of our special patients.

Ward Grandparents play a vital role at the Hospital. For some patients, Ward Grandparents are the main carer when parents are unable to be with them due to geography or other family commitments. They also provide respite to families who need a break from the care of their child.

The Children's Hospital at Westmead currently has eight Ward Grandparents, far fewer than we need. We would like to expand the numbers to meet the demands of children needing the attention of a Ward Grandparent.

The potential qualities of a Ward Grandparent are: a love of children, patience, commitment and good mobility. Ward Grandparents need to be able to work a minimum of three days a week, visiting up to four or five hours a day. The role requires a commitment far beyond many volunteer positions.

Piloted 15 years ago at the suggestion of the Association for the Welfare of Child Health, when the Hospital was based at Camperdown, the Ward Grandparent program is a very popular service provided at the Hospital. Fifteen other hospitals have since started running a similar service with the assistance of AWCH.

Once a Ward Grandparent is accepted into the program, the Social Work Department provides training and ongoing supervision.

If you are interested in becoming a Ward Grandparent please contact the Community Liaison Officer on (02) 9633 1988, NSW Hospital Ward Grandparent Scheme at the Association for the Welfare of Child Health.

For media enquiries please contact:

Gilly Paxton
Public Relations
Ph: (02) 9845 3568 or page via (02) 9845 0000.