Profile on Susan Thornton - Grandparent Advisor, WA
Western Australia media release
Friday, 10 December 2010
Susan Thornton is only too aware of the challenges grandparents face when they take on the full-time responsibility of caring for their grandchildren.
Out of an impressive 27-year career, within Centrelink, she has spent the past six years working diligently as its very first Grandparent Advisor, developing and improving support and services for the many grandparents who find themselves in this challenging situation.
There is no doubt Susan has been a blessing to all the grandparent carers she has encountered, ensuring they receive their correct entitlements; exploring other avenues to see if they are eligible for additional payments; connecting them to local support services, support groups, and networking with other local, state and federal government bodies to investigate any other possible form of support and assistance, ensuring their needs are met.
Her tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed and as a result of her success, in Western Australia alone, the Federal Government recently announced it would engage an additional four Centrelink Grandparent Advisors, nationally, to help provide the same level of service for grandparent carers in other states.
"I know from my own experience there are a lot of grandparent carers out there and I feel very blessed to now be part of a national team to help support them," Susan said.
"So many are caring for young babies; they’ve taken on board young grandchildren; they are going to bed tired and waking up tired; they have health issues, and many of their grandchildren come with emotional challenges, which they have to contend with on a daily basis."
"It’s an ongoing battle for many and it’s so stressful. They’ve raised their children already and now they’re older and facing the same challenges again, so I feel the more we can do here, at Centrelink, to help alleviate their stress, the better they will cope with the many other issues they have to deal with."
Susan said a really important part of helping grandparents to manage the challenges of raising grandchildren is to link them in to local support groups.
"I always encourage each grandparent I see to get connected to a support group because this is where they get to share their emotional challenges – what they’re going through – with others in similar situations.
"Often just talking about their situation, in a group, can be quite uplifting because they find out other grandparents are sometimes worse off than they are, so it makes them feel a little better," she said.
On a constant outreach journey to get the message across to grandparents about her service, Susan has also linked in with FIS Officers, who hold regular community seminars, to provide impartial information about planning for retirement.
"In the past when I attended the seminars, I tell the audience, ‘What I’m about to tell you might not affect you but if you have a neighbour, a family member or friend in a full-time carer role, tell them I’m a Centrelink Grandparent Advisor and I’m here to help."
"Often as I’m talking I can see the light flicking in one or two people’s eyes and I know they have identified with what I’m saying".
"It’s a good way to reach out to those grandparents who don’t actually know about the help and support Centrelink can provide, and to also let them know you don’t have to be a Centrelink customer to access the service. I’ve been able to speak to a good number of our self funded retirees.
"Even if I can reach just two or three people, in a group of 60, I still feel good because I’ve been able to get the message out there and I know it’s so well worth it."
A proud grandparent herself and with a natural empathy to the evolving challenges grandparent carers face, Susan’s philosophy is nothing short of inspirational.
"I just love it when I can help make a difference in the life of a grandparent carer because the way I see it, I can’t change the world but I can change their circumstances, and the way they’re feeling, and that is what’s most important to me," she said.
People wishing to contact Susan can call 1800 245 965 toll free.
For more information, telephone the relevant Centrelink media contact.