A quilt made by grandparents who are estranged from their children and grandchildren is on display at Sacred Heart Church, Battersea.
The eight feet square quilt has been made by a group of grandparents pressing for the right to see grandchildren after a family fall out.
by Sacred Heart
Familial estrangement is widespread and worldwide. A study found 27% of adults are estranged from one or more members of their family. The relationship most commonly severed is that between the parent and their adult child. In most of these cases, it is the adult child ending the relationship. The collateral damage is that contact between grandparents and their grandchildren is denied.
For grandparents, this loss of a mutually benefitting relationship is described as a constant, life-changing, unending grief. Denying contact is considered to be both elder abuse and child abuse. It can lead to life-long emotional, mental, and physical problems for all involved. We believe all grandchildren have the right to have contact with their grandparents, as long as it is safe to do so, and that grandchildren should not be used as a weapon in family fall-outs.
The "Quilt of Love and Hope" is made up of patchwork squares contributed by grandparents around the country to highlight this issue and to raise awareness of the need for legislation to ensure children's rights are guaranteed. Each square of the quilt expresses a grandparent's feeling about the loss of contact with their grandchildren. Love and longing for our beloved grandchildren is universal and we believe our grandchildren deserve to know they are cherished and not forgotten. The quilt is a beautiful symbol and a permanent artefact that says more than words can.
Please help the grandchildren of this country and support our campaign for the same legislation that other countries have to ensure a child's right to family relhips. A 2018 ruling of the European Court of Justice states that: ‘It is important for the child to maintain a personal relationship with … the child’s grandparents.’
Please write to your MP regarding this issue.
If you need support, you are not alone, there are groups you can contact for advice. Visit: bristolgrandparentssupportgroup.co.uk Or hendongrandparents@gmail.com
Alternatively, contact the maker of the quilt at: susanmcramer36@gmail.com