Russia: Families offered 'borrow-a-granny' service

Volunteer Nina Polyakova says she helped to raise her siblings' children and grandchildren, but had none of her own

Russian families are able to "borrow a babushka" as part of a charity service aimed at increasing pensioners' quality of life, it's been reported.

The "granny for an hour" charity project in the Vladimir region near Moscow means that families with small children can borrow an older person "to render help and assistance" several times a week, free of charge, Russian television channel NTV reports. Once parents have cleared the administrative hurdle of informing local social services of their arrangement, they are free to allow the "borrowed" grandmother to look after their children.

Launched in August, NTV says that around 35 elderly volunteers have already signed up, and there are plans to expand into Moscow and the city of Pskov. One mother tells the channel it allows her to run everyday errands. "I always use this service, and it's always helpful," she says, adding that at first she was worried about leaving her children with a stranger, and called the babushka she hired "every 10 minutes". "For an elderly person, it gives an opportunity to fulfil oneself, to pass on their life experience," says Olga Belova, head of a local social services agency.

The concept is not unique, however, with a Canadian woman offering her services as a "foster grandmother" through the Craigslist website earlier this year.

There are already private companies offering "husband for an hour" services in Moscow, to carry out tasks which are traditionally seen as being in the male realm. One company told The Moscow Times in March that the service is popular with young families and the elderly.

Next story: Lemur sent on 'romantic trip' from Japan to Jersey

Use #NewsfromElsewhere to stay up-to-date with our reports via Twitter.