Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Traditional stereotypes of grandparents no longer exist, according to London schoolchildren

The days of dreading boring visits to granny on a Sunday are long gone, according to a survey of over 300 north-London based school children aged 8-11 who revealed they relish the time they spend with their grandparents.

85% of the children described their grandparents as active, fun and young at heart, with modern day grandparents now taking part in a variety of activities; from walks in the park to cycling and swimming. 25% rated being taken on outings as the thing they value most about their grandparents, contradicting the belief that time spent between children and their grandparents is inactive and dull.

Going to the park (32%) and swimming (28%) topped the list of activities children enjoyed the most with their grandparents, with slightly fewer (24%) preferring theme park trips, and visits to the cinema (6%)

Friendship between grandparents and grandchildren appears to run even deeper, with 25% of children admitting to telling their grandparents things that they would not tell their parents.

Peter Girling, Chairman of Girlings Retirement Options Limited, who commissioned the survey, says “While traditionally, grandparents have been perceived as disciplinarians, today’s retired person is healthy, fit and independent. The modern retiree is a role model, counsellor and companion who can relate to young people, bringing joy and adding value to a child’s life.”

Eleynie Achilleos, 8yrs old from Wanstead, in London, says “I see my granny every day, and she looks after me after school. She takes me to the park when it’s sunny, and pushes me on the swings. She is one of my best friends.”

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About Girlings

Girlings Retirement Options Limited www.girlings.co.uk is the market leader in private rental retirement property offering properties on an assured tenancy basis (tenancy for life). The properties are purpose-built to suit the needs of the independently minded and active 55+ age group. They are available to rent at affordable market rates which are reviewed every twelve months in line with RPI and capped at 6%, enabling easy financial planning for tenants. Maintenance costs are included in the rental rates; there are communal facilities at the majority of developments and a house manager is available for help and advice. Reassurance and peace of mind are also covered through the 24 hour emergency Careline.

The company has in the region of 1800 retirement properties available to rent in the UK and Girlings has seen year-on-year growth in demand for new properties from people who are finding this to be an affordable and convenient way of living in retirement, enabling them to pursue long held dreams such as long holidays, gifting money to their children or pursuing new hobbies and pastimes.

For further info contact:

Kathryn Hughes / Heather Baker
hbl media
Tel: 020 7612 1830
Email: kathryn@hblmedia.com / heather@hblmedia.com