Dads matter too! We recognise that community services can often appear to be geared around the needs of Mothers. Dads can feel left out. However, we feel that fathers have an equally important role to play with their children and have needs of their own - after all children don't come with "instructions!" and a parent's role can be very demanding for both Mums and Dads.
So Dads, if you would like to find out more about how you can get involved, or you have ideas about how we can be supporting Dads in general, please let us know. 
1. 4Dads group
The 4Dads group and our Children's Centres work very closely together. Joint iniatives include trips and outings during school holiday periods and our monthly Saturday dads drop ins at our Bedlington and Pegswood centres. Managers and staff have representation on this management committee that ensures effective communication, Complimentary working that ultimately contributes to improving outcomes for children, their dad's / male carers and local families.
Click here to view 4 Dads Website
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2. Support for Dads and Male Carers
Here at Sure Start we are committed to working with all dads and male carers, trying to meet their individual needs where ever possible. To achieve this we listen to what it is that dads want from Sure Start for themselves and their children. Here is a list of some of the past and present activities dads have asked for: - Dads leisure project: a six week project taking dads to the gym for one hour then afterwards having time for discussion around parenting issues
- First aid course for dads: looking at how to cope in an emergency with your children, covering meningitis signs and symptoms, burns, choking and resuscitation and other first aid techniques to use with children.
- Skin to skin: free photo with new dads and their babies and information about the benefits of skin to skin contact.
- Baby massage for dads: a course specifically for dads to come along to with their babies ran in the evenings to allow working dads to attend.
- Saturday morning drop in: a monthly drop in for dads to come along and access various activities with their children from 0-5yrs.
- Trips: various trips and outings for dads to access with their children.
- Breast feeding: information about how dads can help and support whilst mum is breast feeding.
- Ante-natal: an evening for prospective fathers to get information on their role during labour and thinking about life changes after the birth of their children.
We also work with fathers on a one to one basis supporting them on issues around parenting, accessing employment, accessing training and giving general information. If you have any ideas about what you would like from Sure Start please get in touch.
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5. Families Need Fathers
Families Need Fathers is a registered UK charity which provides information and support to parents, including unmarried parents, of either sex. FNF is chiefly concerned with the problems of maintaining a child's relationship with both parents during and after family breakdown.
Click here to view the Families Need Fathers website
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7. Home Dad
An interactive web site for dads bringing up their children. Dads can meet up, offer advice and support and share their experiences of hands-on fathering. The site has news, features and information, details on starting a playgroup and how to find other home dads. There is a bulletin board for messages and regular chat room sessions.
Click here to view the Home Dad website
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