Kinship Carers’ Experiences
Tina
“I came to Kinship four years ago and the change in my life has been incredible. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. I get lots of training and support, and my granddaughter loves all the trips and activities.” – Tina, Kinship Carer
Tina has been a kinship carer for around three years. She first heard about Kinship Carers Liverpool by chance, when someone asked if she knew about kinship support and gave her the phone number. She decided to call and says that moment changed everything. Before finding the group, she felt unsure how to manage her granddaughter’s needs and how to navigate the many systems involved.
From her first visit, Tina felt welcomed and supported. She says the group has brought out strengths in her that she never realised she had. Through regular support sessions and training, she has gained confidence, learned new skills and discovered how to look after both her granddaughter and herself. She values meeting other carers who understand her situation and says the activities and family days have helped her granddaughter make friends and feel less alone.
Tina says the group has become her “little oasis” each week, giving her space, reassurance and a sense of belonging. She feels more confident, more informed and more able to give her granddaughter a safe, happy and stable life.
Cathy
“Kinship’s phone number was the best number I ever received. I arrived with nothing and they helped me every step of the way — we’re a family, and my grandchildren are thriving because of the support.” – Cathy, Kinship Carer
Cathy became a kinship carer nearly three years ago after returning to Liverpool from Canada with very little and in urgent need of support for her grandchildren.
Joining the Kinship support group made an immediate difference. Cathy says she felt welcomed, understood and part of a family from day one. Through the group she received emotional support, practical help, Christmas gifts for the children, and guidance from visiting speakers and professionals. She has completed courses such as ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and Nurturing, which helped her understand both her grandchildren’s needs and her own wellbeing. She credits the group with transforming her confidence, helping her settle back into Liverpool, and giving her the tools to support her grandchildren through school, routines and the challenges of growing up.
Nicky
“I came to Kinship when my grandson was seven and in crisis. The peer support was a lifeline. I did lots of courses, found my confidence and even retrained. Now I work for Kinship and love supporting families through the same journey.” – Nicky, Kinship Carer
Nicky became a kinship carer when her grandson was six months old. Overnight she lost her childminding business and suddenly found herself caring for a baby with little support. By the time he was seven, she was struggling and reached out to Family First, who told her about Kinship Carers Liverpool. She went along to a coffee morning and describes it as a lifeline. Meeting other carers who understood what she was going through made her feel less alone, and the advice and courses helped her build confidence.
Through the support group, Nicky discovered new interests. She completed a mindfulness course, which led her to train as a complementary therapist and start her own small business. Nicky has now worked for the Kinship for four years, supporting families at crisis point and running coffee mornings across the city.
Looking back, Nicky says she feels proud of how far she has come. She loves her work, enjoys seeing carers grow in confidence, and is passionate about helping families get the support they need. She believes that self‑care and community support are key to helping both carers and children thrive.
Margaret
“Finding Kinship changed my life. I felt welcomed straight away, with no judgement — just support from people who understood.” – Margaret, Kinship Carer
Margaret has been a kinship carer since 2000, stepping in to care for her grandchildren when they were at risk of going into care. She found Kinship Carers Liverpool at a youth event her grandson was attending. She went along to a session and says she felt welcomed straight away. Meeting other carers helped her realise she wasn’t alone, and the group gave her confidence, friendship and practical advice. Through guest speakers, she learned more about her grandson’s behaviour and was able to get him assessed and diagnosed with autism — something she would never have known how to pursue on her own.
Although her grandchildren are now grown, Margaret still attends the group and volunteers her time. She has become a trustee, helps with charity nights and supports pamper days for other carers. She says the support changed her life, built her confidence and helped her family thrive.
Irene (Spoke to but didn’t want a pic)
“The support and courses we’ve completed through Kinship have given us invaluable tools for raising our kinship children. They help us cope with the challenges, and the events they run are wonderful for both carers and children. They are truly invaluable.”
Irene became a full‑time kinship carer in October 2023, although she had cared for her grandson on and off since he was born. She first heard about Kinship Carers Liverpool at a fostering event and decided to visit. She says walking through the door changed everything.
At the group, Irene found practical advice, emotional support and people who truly understood what she was going through. Both children she cares for are autistic, and she has had to navigate education, health appointments, social services and fostering regulations — all while managing major changes to family life. She says talking to other carers with similar experiences helped her feel less alone, and the courses and guidance gave her the tools to handle challenging situations with more confidence.
Irene says the support has made a big difference to her grandchildren, too. They have made friends, joined in activities and grown in confidence. She feels proud of the progress she and her husband have made, especially given the complexity of their situation, and says she would have struggled without the kinship community behind her.
Carer
“I found out about Kinship by chance. I had no idea a support group even existed. Since coming here, I feel fully supported and know I can access advice whenever I need it. My young grandson loves the children’s activities and days out. I don’t know how I would have managed without Kinship.”
Wendy
“We found out about Kinship through the Special Guardianship team. We didn’t know a support group existed. Since joining, we feel supported and are always given help and guidance to access other services we may need. The support from the staff and families is amazing. Our grandson loves the outings and activities and enjoys seeing the other children.”
Carer
“I’m only at the beginning of my journey with Kinship, but already I feel I’ve learned so much about the help available to us. Thank you.”
Grace
“Hearing about Kinship is the best thing that has happened to my grandson Ethan and me. He loves engaging with the other children and has enjoyed some fantastic trips out. I don’t drive, so I would never have been able to get to many of the places we’ve visited without their support. I’ve had so much advice and training, and I really enjoy meeting and connecting with other carers.”