Shropshire grandparents suffering in the school holidays, therapist warns

There are concerns that grandparents in Shropshire may be suffering with their mental health in silence.

This comes as many have extra child caring duties during the school holidays.

Lucy Cotterill is a therapist with MPFT’s Shropshire Telford & Wrekin NHS Talking Therapies Service, and says the summer holidays can be a challenging time: "the usual routines and ways grandparents manage their own mental and physical health can be very different when looking after children of different ages

"Children who are very energetic need entertaining and the pressures to be the fun grandparent who has lots of treats can be a financial burden and a mental health one".

She advised grandparents to have "quieter times" and communicate with parents when things get overwhelming, or reach out for support.

Lucy says that "powering on can have an impact and increase frustration, whilst having an impact on children who can behave differently".

To contact Shropshire Telford & Wrekin NHS Talking Therapies Service, you can call on 03001236020 or click here.

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