BeGrand.net, the website for grandparents, has grown fast since it was launched last January, so we are now looking for more grandparents to join our Advisory Board.
We would like to include grandparents with a range of different views, backgrounds, circumstances and experiences of grandparenting – ideally including both grandfathers and grandmothers; grandparents who have regular, occasional or no contact with their grandchildren, as well as those who look after them full-time; and grandparents of different ages.

You do not need any experience of being on an Advisory Board – simply to be a grandparent with an interest in BeGrand.net who is willing to contribute to discussions about the way the service should be developed and delivered.
To find out more, take a look at https://begrand.net/news or email: julia.shipston@begrand.net

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A few weeks ago, we set you all a challenge – with a prize! We wanted as many of you as possible to tell us what was good and bad about the site, so we set up a survey.

I am delighted to say hundreds of you took the time to fill it in and we were absolutely delighted with the responses, because you showed that you are as passionate about BeGrand.net as we are and, in the main, you love what the site does.

But, there are always lessons to be learned in life and there were a lot of very useful comments about what BeGrand.net has to offer.

Quite a few of you suggested easier ways to find certain information. So, just to let you know, we are working on them and hopefully you will see those changes appear soon.

I know quite a lot of you also love the idea of taking part in the community, but are nervous of what they call blogging or commenting. For some of you, I know it feels a bit like being a stranger at a party and not knowing how to break the ice!

So, to help you, we have created a new group called ‘new to site’ where you blogging newbies can type away to your heart’s content!. You can find out more about it here

http://begrand.net/groups/New%20to%20site%20group

So, have a go and let us know what you think

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The Independent today recognises that more and more of the over-50s want to connect with their friends through sites like Facebook, and reports on two new guides – one for the over 50s and one for parents.
The report also mentions BeGrand.net’s useful article on using Facebook, which you can find at http://begrand.net/article/technology/how-use-facebook-guide-grandparents
See the Independent report at http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/how-to-use-facebook-guides-for-people-over-50-parents-2035938.html

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Hello BeGrand.net fans,

We just recieved this appeal from Grandparents Plus. If you are a grandparent in Dagenham, then read on!

If you wish to attend this workshop, please contact us in advance.

Are you a grandmother or grandfather who spends time looking after your grandchildren? If the answer if yes then we would really like to hear from you and get your help to develop an exciting new scheme that recognises and rewards grandparents.

On Wednesday 11 August we are inviting a broad range of local grandparents to join us for a discussion meeting from 10am to 3pm where we can hear your views and share some ideas.

So if you would like the chance to chat, help us develop a new product and meet other grandparents please join us.

If you would like to take part or have any questions please contact me on:
020 8981 8001 to discuss it or email me at
oonagh.murphy-jack@grandparentsplus.org.uk.

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Grandparents go back to school – and BeGrand.net was there

July 19, 2010

On Friday, BeGrand.net was present at what I can only describe as a fantastic idea which took place at a school in south west London.
We were invited to witness Grandparents Day at Barnes Primary School. Over 80 grandparents turned up for a full day of lessons with their grandchildren and we got a chance to [...]

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BeGrand.net gets a five star rating

March 8, 2010

We are delighted to announce that WebUser magazine has just made us their Website of the Fortnight and given us a five star rating.
It is great to get such recognition from a magazine that many turn to for website advice and support as they make their way through the world wide woods.
If you would like [...]

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BeGrand.net is live!

February 1, 2010

We’ve launched our website!
We won’t be updating this blog any more but you can find a wealth of information about grandparenting at BeGrand.net along with a community of grandparents talking about the issues that matter to them.  You can also get access to our online advisers who can deal with problems confidentially, 1-to-1. And you [...]

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Real live grandparents wanted for TV news!

January 22, 2010

Hello – it’s Sophie again. This time, I’m on the look out for a grandparent in the London-ish area doing the school run or minding their grandchild/ children.
We’re doing a news piece – (we’ll explain why later this weekend…..) about the important role grandparents play in children’s lives. But we need to [...]

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Are you a grandparent helped by the net?

December 21, 2009

We’ve got another request for internet-active-grandparents…
The Department of Children, Schools and Families are looking for grandparentswho used the internet to resolve problems & issues to tell their stories for a short film.
They need to be stories directly related to grandparenting – it could be finding help and advice to deal with specific problems, discovering ways of keeping in [...]

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Getting close now!

December 21, 2009

It’s that time of year – no, not Christmas, the BeGrand.net launch.
While the rest of the world thinks about slowing down for a few days, we will be working overtime to launch our new site early in 2010.
Keep talking to us and let us know what we can do for you.
Until then, Merry Christmas

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