Yorkshire's grandparents are officially the best in England

It's a fact that so many grandchildren around Yorkshire could have told you already, but now it's official. Yorkshire has many wonderful grandparents - and they have just come out on top in a survey.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Jan 2016, 14:24 BST
Updated 21st Jan 2016, 14:29 BST

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Our grandparents are the best.Our grandparents are the best.
Our grandparents are the best.

Elderly people in Yorkshire spend more time with grandchildren than anywhere else in the country, according to the Silver Census, a YouGov survey. The research found that 33% of over-65s spend 20 hours or more with grandchildren.

That figure was at least 12 per cent more than in any other area. Despite spending that amount of time with grandchildren, 63% of people surveyed said that they would like to see them even more than they do now.

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There were 30 per cent of people who saw their grandchildren more than once a week - with the north-east being the only area in England where that figure was higher, at 34%.

The study, which was commisioned by the stairlifts company Stannah, also revealed that plenty of adult grandchildren asked their elders for advice. 20 per cent of grandparents in the region said that their adult grandchildren asked most about careers, while 10 per cent said they were questioned for financial advice. There were six per cent who were asked about relationships and dating.

Patrick Stannah, managing director of Stannah Stairlifts, said: “It’s fantastic to see Yorkshire grandparents putting in so many hours each week looking after their grandchildren.

“As the findings in our survey show, grandparents play a central role in supporting our younger generations, particularly as a friend and companion.

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“At the same time, grandchildren often play a vital role in ensuring their grandparents avoid the social isolation and loneliness that so many older people are subject to in the latter years of their life.

“It’s clear both generations have a lot to give one another and the more they can interact the better for both of them.”

Those findings came after the Yorkshire Post reported this month that one in four families now rely on grandparents for help with childcare.

Here’s how Yorkshire’s grandparents best described their role

• Companion/friend 28%

• Babysitter 15%

• Financial Supporter 13%

• Confidante 8%

• Carer 8%

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Related topics:YorkshireEngland