But, as the pair quickly points out, "what can you call normal" anymore.

The dynamic duo, for a variety of reasons, are the primary care givers for their grandchildren, who range in ages from 15 to 10.

The pair leads the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Orange Group. It's a small but ever-growing group aiming to provide grandparents with a safe haven as they navigate the often tricky world of raising another generation.

The group's last meeting had eight grandparents responsible for a total of 27 grandchildren, and a great-grandmother throw in the mix for good measure, too.

"What's said here stays here, which is important," Mrs Skipper said at one of the Orange Family Support-run meetings.

"It's confidential. Sometimes things are going well and sometimes things aren't going so well. Orange Family Support has been amazing. The kids get to meet other kids in the same situation, and don't feel different.

"At schools it can be about mum and dad and the family, but we're a family too and we've become a family here in this group. There's times you just want to talk to someone."

The group meets regularly to talk through a range of issues grandparents raising their grandchildren often encounter.

Mrs Wilkinson says the high turnover of support worker is is tough, while maintaining a life outside of being a care-giving grandparent is also a challenge.

Support is another big issue. Ahead of Easter, members of the group have received vouchers to help their kids with schooling and easter eggs have been donated. It's welcome assistance, especially given the financial support isn't always there.

"It's knowing there's people out there that care. To be perfectly honest, I've been on a pension and raising a grandchild. They grow like warts, let me tell you," Mrs Wilkinson said.

"We're not having a go at the system, but it needs to change. We need it to change.

"I didn't know what it would be like to raise a grandchild. It's so different to raising your own."

Both grandparents have been to parliament house on Macquarie Street to meet with relevant government officials to express their frustrations at the system, too.

"We need to jump up and down and say 'hey, these kids need help and the grand parents need financial help' ... because as you can see we're not young anymore. We're not spring chickens, things fall apart," Mrs Wilkinson said.

Closer to home, the pair is hoping their group continues to grow. They know there's an abundance of grandparents in Orange in the game boat as they are.

"We'd love a pop or two," they smiled.

"It's an informal chat to help and support each other, to say to people we can help. It's a slow process and we're getting more members, but there's a lot more our there."

Anyone interested in attending the meetings can contact Sue Brown at Orange Family Support on 6361 1004.

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