Charlestown resident Jackie Laughton used to feel like she had let her son down.

Ms Laughton gained custody of her son’s two children in March last year because she felt the two boys – aged five and two, would be safer with her.

“My son has a mental illness from drugs and alcohol and the boys’ mother was also drug and alcohol affected,” she said.

Ms Laughton said she used to feel embarrassed about her situation.

“Sometimes I think that I should just give up, I think why me? I’ve already brought up my children.”

The 50-year-old grandmother quit her job as an aged-care nurse to care for the two boys and has struggled financially since gaining custody of her grandsons.

“My whole life has changed, I don’t even have the same network of friends I used to have,” Ms Laughton said.

While going through the court process, the grandmother of two came across a local support group, held near her home called Samaritans Grand-parents As Parents Support.

The group is for grandparents that care for their grandchildren full time to get together and discuss their concerns and socialise.

They can also receive financial advice.

Ms Laughton said this group helped her get by.

“I went to the group and found there were other people just like me in similar situations,” Ms Laughton said.

She said the group coordinator even offered to go to the family court with her for support.

Despite the hardships she has faced, Ms Laughton said she would do it all again for the children.

“You just learn to cope because you love them and want them to be safe.

“They are beautiful boys and worth it.”

Ms Laughton now knows she is not the only grandparent caring for grandchildren full time.

Samaritans Grandparents As Parents Support kinship care coordinator Karen Lazasoain said research conducted in 2006 found more than 6000 children were cared for by their grand-parents in the Hunter.

Ms Lazasoain said she believed there were probably more children being looked after by grandparents that go unreported because of grandparents feeling embarrassed.

The Grandparents As Parents Support group holds local meetings at Charlestown, Mayfield, Fennel Bay as well as Harrington, Nelson Bay, Raymond Terrace, Morisset, Gorokan and Cessnock.

To join the group or for more information, phone Karen Lazasoain on 0429 914 553.