Jill Nutton's world changed beyond all recognition when, at 2am one morning in 2018, she received a telephone call asking her to look after her five-year-old grandson.

Jill made a life-altering decision and stepped up to become his full-time carer - the start of her kinship journey.

Almost overnight, Jill was plunged into a "bewildering new system".

She had to navigate the "exhausting bureaucratic maze" of social services, legal red tape, and complex financial guardianship rules, all while managing the emotional fallout and trauma within her own family.

There was no handbook, no clear roadmap, and very little immediate support for someone who was suddenly parenting for a second time in middle age.

Recognising the unique challenges and profound isolation that can come with unexpected guardianship, Jill founded the Rutland Kinship Carers Support Group.

What started as a personal mission to find connection has, in just over 12 months, grown into a vital community lifeline. Today, a dozen local grandparents, all of whom have similarly stepped up to raise their grandchildren, gather monthly to share advice, tears, and laughter.

Kinship care is when a child is raised by a grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle, or family friend because their parents are no longer able to care for them.

Unlike traditional foster carers, kinship carers often thrust themselves into the role overnight following family tragedies, illnesses, or sudden changes in circumstances. While it keeps children within a loving, familiar family network, it often comes at an immense personal cost.

Members of the Rutland group regularly navigate profound sacrifices, including:

· Giving up careers, freezing pensions, and managing the sudden cost of raising children on fixed incomes.

· Navigating their own grief while managing the trauma of the children in their care.

· Finding themselves out of sync with peers their own age, trading retirement plans for school runs and homework.

The Rutland group operates with the support of Rutland County Council's fostering team and Virtual school, as well as the vital backing of Kinship, the leading national charity for kinship carers in England and Wales. Kinship provides the group with training, resources, and a wider network of support, ensuring that local leaders like Jill have the tools they need to keep these essential hubs running.

"My focus was entirely on ensuring my grandson felt safe and loved," says Jill Nutton, founder of the group. "But I quickly realised how isolating this journey can be. You are suddenly a parent again, decades after you thought you'd finished. Finding other grandmothers and grandfathers who truly understand the unique blend of grief, love, and exhaustion we face has been lifesaving. No one should have to do this alone."

With Kinship Care Week taking place this week, the Rutland group is on a mission to raise awareness about the estimated 140,000 children living in kinship care across the UK.

The group is issuing a plea to the local community. If you are a grandparent or relative raising a child in or around Rutland, please reach out. If you are a kinship carer looking for a welcoming, non-judgmental space to connect with others who understand your journey, you are invited to join the monthly meetings.

For more information about the meetings or to learn more about the support available through the Rutland Kinship Carers Group, please contact [email protected]