Come on you Dads!

This month, Barrow Dads Group is planning numerous activities to celebrate National Sure Start Month.  Activities such as football coaching, picnic outings, a Camelot Theme Park Day out, messy play and puppet making are a few of the activities planned for each Dads Club this month encouraging all fathers and children to come together in a child friendly and relaxing environment.

Barrow Dads Group has been running since 2001, and there are now 5 groups working together in the Barrow area with around 50 members.  Fathers who live locally run all the groups.  They are open to fathers, grandfathers, brothers or any male carers of any child from 0 – 16.  It enables them to spend valuable time with their children and take part in many activities.

County Councillor Joan Stocker, Cabinet Spokesperson for Education says 

“This is a wonderful opportunity for fathers or any male carer to spend valuable time with their child.  After local consultation it became apparent that fathers who were either the main carer of their child or who have access to their child on weekends or in the evening did not have a place to meet or take part in activities with other children.  The Barrow Dads Group gives them an opportunity to develop their relationship with their child as well as being involved in encouraging their child to learn through play.  In addition to this many of the fathers can now access affordable training through the Group where they can build on their own skills.  I wish the Barrow Dads Group every success and hope to see many more groups like this set up around the County.” 

Dave Morrison Community Support Manager for the Group says 

“I was employed by Sure Start in Barrow in November 2000 as a Community Support Co-ordinator.  The main visitors at one of my first consultation meetings were dads with their children and as discussions developed we found out that many of these dads were estranged from their child having their contact sessions.  There was very little affordable activity for dads and their children to access in this area which led to the Barrow Dads Programme being set up.  It has now gone from strength to strength and we now hold five weekly sessions organised by five different dads funning five local communities every week.  We have set up many events and activities for the dads and children to take part in.  I am delighted that we listened to what this community wanted and worked with them to make sure it could be delivered.” 

‘Dads R Us’ is held on 

•      Tuesday 4pm – 6pm – North Walney Bridge Community Centre 

•      Thursday 4.30pm – 7pm – Abbotsvale Community Centre 

•      Friday 4pm – 6pm – Greengate Community Centre 

•      Saturday 12.30pm – 3.30pm Ormsgill Community Centre 

•      Saturday 12.30pm – 3.30pm – Hindpool Community Centre 

For more information on the Barrow Dads Groups and how you can become involved please contact Dave Morrison or Keith Nichols on 01229 835608