Jimmy Deuchars was the founder of Grandparents Apart Self Help Group Scotland which later became Grandparents Apart UK as more and more people from across the UK sought help when they were denied contact with their beloved grandchildren. The number of people he helped over the years is immeasurable; grandparents, parents and children alike.

He worked tirelessly to right what he saw as wrongs in the systems dealing with families in crisis and argued his corner with any politician or member of authority to convince them of those shortcomings and showing better ways to deal with family problems. He discovered first hand the difficulties in the system with his daughter’s untimely death and the following difficulties in maintaining contact with her children when his son-in-law met a new partner. Never happier than when this was resolved and later when all the grandchildren were visiting.

He gave support and advice to many; sometimes advice which wasn’t always what was expected. He was always aware there were two sides to every story and that sometimes grandparents had to ‘back off’ to get back into their grandchildren’s lives. His no nonsense approach sometimes had to be reigned in, but his determination and focus were never in question and this won him respect in high places and with the members of Grandparents Apart. His mission in life was to ensure that children were never denied the love and support of extended family and in particular their grandparents.

It is without question that he has left a hole in the organisation, but his memory will live on as we continue to work toward his ambitions and strive to achieve his dreams.

Jimmy – The Glesga Pest

The booming voice and dodgy hearing
The softest heart and all that caring
He helped us Grannies and Grandads too
Without his help what will we do?
This is a man we won’t forget
The Best Granda I’ve ever met
Grandparents Apart, his pride and joy
Building bridges was his ploy

A legacy he asked to leave -
Yes, all the families he worked to save
No doubt the world is a poorer place
Without his bossy smiling face
Continue his work? We’ll do our best
He deserves no less, the Glesga Pest.