Supporting Young Fathers Network
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This section provides an annotated list of the projects, services, and agencies/organisations that were included as part of the case-study evidence for this guide. You might want to contact some of these projects to share examples of promising practice and perhaps explore opportunities for joint working.
Projects aimed at supporting young fathers are often time-limited. Some of those listed below may have closed or been absorbed into other services. Please let us know if there are changes.| A Dad's Point of View, Taunton |
| This project involved working with individual young fathers using photography as a medium for them to explore their experiences of fatherhood. The work was published into a booklet to highlight their thoughts, feelings, and experiences on what it means to be a young father. |
| Contact: Julie Husband (Teenage Pregnancy Coordinator) Address: Somerset County Council, County Hall, Block B2 Taunton, TA1 4DY. Tel: +44 (0)1823 357 988 Email: Jhusband@somerset.gov.uk |
| Barrow Dads' Group, Barrow-in-Furness |
| Aimed at fathers of all ages, Barrow Dads' Group(s) meet weekly in five locations in Barrow. Activities and projects for fathers and their children are numerous and varied (e.g. cooking, fishing, parenting courses etc.). Barrow Dads' Group also offer the opportunity for estranged fathers to see their children within the groups. |
| Contact: Dave Morrison (Community Support Manager) Address: Burlington House, Michaelson Road, Barrow, LA14 2RJ. Tel: +44 (0)1229 871 480 Email: dave.morrison@surestart-barrow.nhs.uk |
| Base 25, Wolverhampton |
| This young fathers project has established itself as a service to provide young fathers with practical support regardless of their status or situation. It works on a one-to-one and group basis, taking a person centered approach and placing emphasis on building positive relationships. Base 25 offer a free telephone help-line for those unable to attend in person. |
| Contact: Jason Dudley (Young Dad's Project Coordinator) Address: Base 25, Castle House, Wheelers Fold, Wolverhampton, WV1 1ST. Tel: +44 (0)1902 572 044 Email: info@base25.info Website: http://www.base25.info |
| Boys2MEN (b2M), London |
| An experiential group work programme of music, arts and life experience and sports for boys, young people, and fathers and their families. b2M aims to assist males who are considered vulnerable, challenging, and hard to reach, to rediscover their potential and to successfully make the transition from childhood to adulthood. |
| Contact: Melvyn Davis (Project Manager) Address: Providence House, 26 Kilburn Lane, London, NW6 4QD. Tel: +44 (0)20 7604 5960 Email: melvyn@coram-b2m.org.uk Website: http://www.coram.org.uk |
| B2b+ Project and the Y-Not Project, Sunderland |
| A multi-agency initiative that provides support for teenage mums, dads, and their children. This is achieved by improving learning and health, strengthening families and communities particularly in relation to the involvement of fathers, and improving the social and emotional well-being of teenage mothers, fathers and their children. Y-Not? Project (an extension of B2b+), provides a wide range of services to young people in care, care leavers, and young mothers and young fathers. All young parents who attend B2b+ are able to access the services provided by Y-Not? |
| Contact: Charles Thompson (Young Fathers Worker) or Alison Horrox (Manager, The Place) Address: The Place, Hendon Health Centre, Meaburn Terrace, Hendon, Sunderland, SR1 2LR. Tel: +44 (0)191 553 2381 Email: alison.horrox@sunderland.gov.uk Website: http://www.ynotproject.com |
| Brighton and Hove Young Fathers Project (BHYFP) |
| A project that offers weekly group support, information, and practical skills development for young fathers between 13-25yrs whatever their situation or relationship with their baby or baby's mother. BHYF also offers one-to-one support for those who are likely to benefit from more direct work, and for whom group sessions are not appropriate. |
| Contact: Alan Seabrook (Young Men's and Young Fathers Worker) Address: c/o Youth Advice Centre, 65 Blatchington Road, Hove, BN3 3YJ. Tel: +44 (0)1273 889 292 Email: alan.seabrook@hoveymca.org.uk |
| DeVeloping Dads (DVD), Rotherham |
| Currently not running due to a lack of funding, the project aimed to encourage young fathers (16-25yrs) to play a greater role in the lives of their children by raising their awareness of the crucial part they can play in their child's upbringing. By lessening the feelings of isolation, recognising them as fathers, and building self-esteem, DVD helped young men to improve their self-image as men and fathers, and helped them to take on the identity of 'father'. |
| Contact: David Sargent (Chief Executive) Address: Chantry YMCA, Office 3, Downs Row, Rotherham, S60 2HD. Tel: +44 (0)1709 720 040 Website: http://www.rotherhamymca.org.uk |
| Fathers First, Isle of Wight |
| A project developed in partnership with the Isle of Wight Youth Service, local midwives, and Connexions, after a need was identified through a consultation process with agencies and young people. Fathers First provide a holistic, flexible, approach that is adaptable to individual needs and offers intensive individual support to young fathers. The service runs every Thursday in an environment of the young man's choosing. |
| Contact: Dee Makin (Senior Youth and Community Worker) Address: MY- I Office c/o Ventnor Youth Centre, Victoria Street, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, P038 1 ET. Tel: +44 (0)1983 856 640 Email: mobileyouth@iow.gov.uk Website: http://www.iwyouthservice.org.uk |
| Fathers Plus, Newcastle |
| Fathers Plus is a project of Children North East. The project aim is to ensure that the role of the father is valued, supported and included in all approaches to work with children and families. Through infrastructure projects such as the Fatherhood Resource Centre, the North East Father Work Forum and the online knowledge bank (www.includingmen.com), Fathers Plus continues to help build capacity and support organisations to include (young) men. |
| Contact: Roger Olley (Project Manager) Address: 89 Denhill Park, Newcastle, NE15 6QE. Tel: +44 (0)191 256 2444 Email: roger.olley@children-ne.org Website: http://www.children-ne.org |
| Great Yarmouth Young Men's Project (GYYMP) |
| The GYYMP delivers sex and relationship education (SRE) to boys in a number of schools in Great Yarmouth. Support involves issues around parenthood, relationships, and sexual health. Boys not in mainstream education can access the project though the Youth Offending Team (YOT) and the Youth Service. The project also works with young men over sixteen in colleges and other training venues. |
| Contact: Chris Simmons (Young Men's Project Worker) Address: Kittywitches Centre, 156 King Street, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 2PA. Tel: +44 (0)1493 331948 Email: simmonsc@fsmail.net |
| Hartcliffe and Withywood Teenage Parents Project (TPP), Bristol |
| The TPP provides support for teenage parents, teenage parents-to-be, and their children in a deprived area of Bristol. Open five days a week, the work with young fathers is supported by a grant from the Big Lottery Fund. The TPP has a number of core aims including working in partnership with local schools to reduce teenage pregnancy, create safe environments for young parents to meet and build support networks, raising young parents confidence and self-esteem, and social skills development. Crèche facilities are provided. |
| Contact: Mark Newman (Fathers Development Worker) Address: Hartcliffe and Withywood Teenage Parents Project, Tenants Centre, Gatehouse Way, Withywood, Bristol, BS13 9AN. Tel: +44 (0)117 978 4401 Website: http://www.hwtpp.org.uk |
| Health Initiatives Team, Leeds |
| The Health Initiatives Team at Education Leeds works with schools and other agencies to ensure that school-age parents (mothers and fathers) are able to access appropriate education, and ensure that educational achievement is not disadvantaged by pregnancy or parenthood. The team works with pregnant pupils, fathers-to-be, and young parents (mothers and fathers) who are of compulsory school-age or who are 6th form pupils or Year 11 leavers making the transition to post-16 provision. |
| Contact: Jenny Midwinter (Sexual Health Initiatives Coordinator) Address: Health Initiatives Team, Education Leeds, Blenheim Centre, 6 Crowther Place, Leeds, LS6 2ST. Tel: +44 (0)113 395 1215 Email: jenny.midwinter@educationleeds.co.uk |
| Ladz 2 Dadz, Northamptonshire |
| A service offered by the Teenage Parent Support Team in Northamptonshire for young fathers and young fathers-to-be aged between 14-21yrs. Ladz 2 Dadz aims to provide a service that helps young fathers to meet their own, and their babies/children's basic physical, social and emotional needs. Work is varied, individually tailored, and focuses on issues such as employment, education and training, parenting skills, legal/welfare rights, housing and benefits. |
| Contact: Heather Frick (Teenage Parents Support Team Manager) Address: Teenage Parents Support Team, 43-45 Sanders Road, Wellingborough, NN8 4NL. Tel: +44 (0)1933 231 050 Email: hfrick@northamptonshire.gov.uk |
| Lewisham's Young Fathers Project |
| The multi-agency Teenage Pregnancy 'Virtual' Team based in South London works to provide holistic and integrated support packages for teenage parents and parents- to-be (mothers and fathers). The Young Fathers Project was created to help local young fathers acknowledge the importance of being a dad and develop self-confidence as people and as fathers. Support to help improve outcomes with the young father's child is flexible and wide-ranging including mediation work with families, sex and relationship education, parenting skills, and other advice as required. |
| Contact: Owen Thomas (Young Fathers Worker) Address: Working with Men, Unit K401, Tower bridge business complex, 100 Clements road, London, SE16 4DG. Tel: +44 (0)207 237 5353 Email: o.thomas@workingwithmen.org Website: http://www.young-fathers.org.uk |
| Luton YMCA Consultation Event, Luton |
| Although not working directly with young fathers, YMCA Luton have conducted a consultation event with African-Caribbean young fathers. The event was intended to explore young fathers support needs and experiences (e.g. medical aspects of the pregnancy, attitudes of others, contact situation etc). The YMCA is currently exploring ways in which these needs can be met. |
| Contact: Deniece Dobson (Service Manager) Address: YMCA Drop in Centre, Alma Street, Luton, LU1 2PL. Tel: +44 (0)1582 505 700 or +44 (0)1582 402 571 Email: ymca.luton@btconnect.com |
| Mancroft Advice Project (M.A.P.), Norwich |
| A free independent information, advice, and counselling service for young people aged between 11-25yrs. Provision includes a drop-in for young fathers, practical advice and information, skills development, and support for issues relating to being young men as well as young fathers. Other services include advice on housing, benefits and advocacy, a children and young peoples rights worker, a young fathers worker, free pregnancy testing, free condoms, and a Connexions drop-in. |
| Contact: Andy Wood (Young Fathers Project Worker) Address: MAP (Mancroft Advice Project), The Risebrow Centre, Chantry Road, Norwich, NR2 1RF. Tel: +44 (0)1603 766 994 Website: http://www.map11-25.org |
| Milton Keynes, Young Fathers Project |
| Offers one-to-one and group support, providing advice and information for young fathers, and young fathers-to-be under the age of 25yrs. Support includes advice and information on parenting skills, housing and benefits, social and communication skills, independent living, sexual health, and counselling. The service is available for young fathers regardless of the status of their relationship with the mother and/or child. |
| Contact: Hayden Tennant (Young Fathers Coordinator) Address: c/o Brook Advisory Centre, Acorn House, 355 Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 3HP. Tel: +44 (0)1908 606 561 Email: hayden.tennant@brookmk.org.uk |
| New Dad Project |
| Funded by Lambeth Children Centres, this project is run by St. Michael's Fellowship in South London to engage with and support new or expectant young fathers. Most young men currently participating are aged 16-20. The project is particularly successful in reaching African-Caribbean fathers and most of the young men are engaged through the project's strong links with antental services at Guy's and St Thomas ' hospitals. |
Contact: Matthew Hay |
| NEWPIN, South East London |
| NEWPIN works with parents and other primary carers of children who are in need of support in their role as parents. The Fathers Project (based in Peckham) supports fathers in their efforts to develop positive and emotionally sensitive relationships with their children. |
| Contact: Geoff Leslie (Fathers Project Coordinator) Address: 163 Commercial Way, Peckham, London, SE15 1AU. Tel: +44 (0)20 7252 8283 Email: info@newpin.org.uk http://www.newpin.org.uk |
| Pro-Thinc Drama, Merton |
| The Merton Teenage Pregnancy Partnership in South London recognised support for young fathers needed to be addressed urgently. Through research and a drama-based consultation event, the partnership developed an in-depth knowledge of young fathers needs in the local area. The partnership is currently working to meet these needs. |
| Contact: Kate Jezernik (Teenage Pregnancy Coordinator) Address: Merton Teenage Pregnancy Partnership (Sutton and Merton PCT), The Wilson Hospital, Cranmer Road, Mitcham, CR4 4TP. Tel: +44 (0)208 687 4733 Email: kate.jezernik@smpctnurses.nhs.uk |
| Salford Young Fathers Project |
| Set up in 2005, the project is a partnership between the Salford Youth Service and the Salford Teenage Pregnancy Team. It offers one-to-one support to any young father/father-figure aged 25 in Salford. The support covers issues such as coping with being a father, benefits, housing, relationships, education and training, and wider services for parents. |
| Contact: Tom Cole Address: Salford Opportunities Centre 2 Paddington Close, off Churchill Way Salford , M6 5PL Tel: +44 (0)161 603 6874 / 0797 196 3167 Email: tom.cole@salford.gov.uk Website: www.salford.gov.uk/life-events-teenage-pregnancy |
| Sure Start, Berwick-upon-Tweed |
| Midwife run classes for fathers-to-be in rural Northumberland. The Sure Start Borough outreach team is co-located at Wooler Fire Station but also operates out of a number of satellite venues across the borough. Sessions are held in the evening to accommodate working hours, and held at the local maternity department. Personal invitations to fathers-to-be are given during ante-natal home visits to engage fathers early in the process. |
| Contact: Jan Marshall (Midwife) Address: Sure Start Berwick Borough, Wooler Fire Station, South Road, Wooler, Northumberland, NE71 6SN. Tel: +44 (0)1668 283 372 Website: http://www.surestartberwickborough.org.uk |
| Teens-Babies Advice Group (T-BAG), Halifax |
| The Information Shop for Young people has encouraged and supported a group of young parents (mums and dads) to get together to form their own support and advice group for teenage parents living in Calderdale. The service offers a wide range of information available including advice on health, education and training, money and benefits, sexual health, housing and jobs. |
| Contact: Olinda Olekeswycz (Project Manager) Address: The Information Shop for Young People, Halifax Connexions Centre, Halifax Careers Centre, 16 Alexandra Street, Halifax, HX1 1BS. Tel: +44 (0)1422 330 033 Website: http://www.connexionswestyorkshire.co.uk |
| Teenage Pregnancy Support Service (TPSS), Hull |
| The TPSS is a centrally based team comprised of a coordinator and four teenage pregnancy advisers with different specialisms including school-age parents, pregnancy and child health, housing, and young fathers. One-to-one support and advice on a range of issues is available for young parents (mothers and fathers). Work with young fathers is fully integrated into mainstream support services for young parents. |
| Contact: Rob Elkin (Young Fathers Worker) or Susan Reddington (TPSS Manager) Address: Teenage Pregnancy Support Service, First Floor, Conifer House, 32-36 Prospect Street, Hull, HU2 8PX. Tel: +44 (0)1482 336 380 Email: rob.elkin@hullcc.gov.uk |
| The New Dad Project, London |
| The New Dad Project is run by St. Michael's Fellowship in South London to enage with and support new or expectant young fathers. The project aim to identify the needs of young fathers and to work in partnership with them to achieve a positive transition in to fatherhood. St. Michael's Fellowship is a South London based charity that provides residential projects for vulnerable families (including accommodation), help and training for families where children are at risk, or where there is other emotional, mental or physical hardship |
| Contact: Matthew Hay (New Dad Project Coordinator) Address: St. Michael’s Fellowship Tel: +44 (0) 20 8677 6888 Email: matt@stmichaelsfellowship.org.uk Website: http://www.stmichaelsfellowship.org.uk |
| UKdadsposse and the Potential Project, Oxford |
| Relying on a small group of paid workers and volunteers, the UKdadsposse and the Potential Project work to provide support, training, information and advice to fathers, male carers, young men and boys in schools. It provides a safe environment for young men to meet and share their experiences with others and gain support. |
| Contact: Carlton Gabbidon (Project Manager) or Christine Etheridge (Teenage Pregnancy Coordinator, Oxfordshire) Address: 26 Kingfishers Green, Greater Leys, Oxford, OX4 7BX. Tel: +44 (0)1865 779 298 Email: ukdadsposse@yahoo.co.uk |
| Upfront Teenage Pregnancy Team, Bradford |
| The Upfront team are currently developing services for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) young fathers in Bradford based on research recently undertaken by a member of the team. Positive links with Sure Start (Manningham and West Bowling), mean the team has developed considerable expertise in engaging with BME teenage fathers. |
| Contact: Nicola Corrigan (Teenage Pregnancy Advisor) Address: Upfront Teenage Pregnancy Team, C/O Bradford Youth Service, 1 City Road, Bradford, BD8 8ER. Tel: +44 (0)1274 432 445 Email: enquiries@upfontonline.info |
| WILD Young Fathers Programme, Cornwall |
| The WILD young fathers programme was created to help local young fathers acknowledge the importance of being a dad and develop self-confidence as people and as fathers. Not currently running because of a lack of funding, WILD provided young fathers with a safe place to be with their children; and helps them meet with other fathers (under 25) for fun, to share concerns, and for mutual advice and support. |
| Contact: Jo Davies (Project Manager) Address: WILD Young Parents Project, Wesley Buildings, Wesley Street, Redruth, Cornwall, TR15 2EG. Tel: +44 (0)1209 210 077 Email: wild_online@btconnect.com |
| Young Fathers Outreach Project, Gloucestershire |
| A multi-agency initiative targeting young fathers and young fathers-to-be in a 3 stage support project. In stage one, a Gloucestershire-specific resource (You've Scored!) has been developed for use by workers, young fathers, and young fathers to-be. In stage two, the project will train professionals so that they can offer support, advice and information on issues that may affect young fathers, their partners and their children. Stage three will involve the development of a targeted support service for young fathers. |
| Contact: Paul Hopkins (Health Promotion Specialist - Boys and Young Men) Address: Cotswold and Vale NHS PCT, Corinium House, Cirencester Hospital, Tetbury Road, Cirencester, GL7 1UX. Tel: +44 (0)8454 222 718 Email: paul.hopkins@glos.nhs.uk |