Dads delight at new group

By Laura Elvin

Local dads who requested a regular father and child meeting for male carers in the Beaumont Leys area celebrated the official launch of the Dad’s 4 Dad’s group last Saturday.

The Beaumont Leys and Stocking Farm Sure Start Children’s Centre is hosting a monthly support group for fathers to give them the time, opportunity and support to interact and bond with their children.

The group meets on the first Saturday of every month between 11.30am and 2pm and is free for any dads, granddads or other male carers who have children under 12-years-old.

Tash Razak, community development worker at Beaumont Leys and Stocking Farm Children’s Centre, encouraged any dads to come along whilst understanding that fathers some times feel a bit anxious about joining groups.

He said: “Some dads can be a bit reluctant but the group is very informal so they can come along without feeling intimidated, just to have a laugh and meet other dads.

“The response from dads has been brilliant and the level of informality comes from the friendliness of the dads that come along.”

Tash hopes that sometime in the future the fathers that come to the group will be able to run the session on their own.

The idea for the group came from the Parent Carer Forum – Sure Start’s formal link with parents – who felt that a male-only childcare group was just what the area needed.

It began with a few pilot sessions at the end of last year, where it became clear that the session was much needed and appreciated.

Matt Hadfield, 30, from Beaumont Leys, comes to the session with his two daughters, aged 5 and 9 weeks, and is part of the Parent Carer Forum who came up with the idea.

He said: “It’s good because sometimes dads just need a little extra kick or encouragement to get involved with their children – to realise it’s not all just dolls and teddy bears and that you can do fun activities with your kids.

“It’s great to relax and let the kids run around and to meet other parents you can trust.

“I’d encourage any father to just come along and give it a go.”

Sessions involve making food with the kids, playing games, outdoor play and just relaxing and chatting to other parents.

Anyone interested in attending can contact Tash on 0116 295 4554

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