Barrow Dads Group

What the project does?

Barrow Dads Group is a support service for fathers/male carers and their families in the Barrow area, it provides both individual and group support along with opportunities for fathers/male carers and their families to access a wide range of activities.  There are 6 groups meeting in individual wards of Barrow, Hindpool, Walney.  Ormsgill,  Abbotsvale , Central and Roosegate providing opportunities for fathers/male carers and their families to access structured activities such as, Cook and Eat, Art and Crafts sessions, family learning, trips, training programmes, professional support (Health Visitors, Employment, Education, Parenting) and Sports Based programmes.  The groups are free of charge to all fathers/male carers and their families and also offer opportunities in residential trips, away days and new opportunities.  The groups are limited for fathers/male carer and his children to attend while activities such as trips are for the whole family.  Barrow Dads Group runs a programme to support teenage and young fathers in the Barrow area and implemented the first couples aqua-natal in the area and are working in close partnership with health, maternity, education and housing to support young fathers.   Barrow Dads Group also provides structured sessions for non-residents fathers to see their children in a safe and structured environment.  Barrow Dads Group have worked with a large number of fathers in this position, the programme is a pilot initiative and has raised a lot of interest throughout the North West with organisations wanting to implement their own.

Background of the project

Barrow Dads Group was initially set up in March 2001 through consultation with fathers who had nowhere to go with their children that was inexpensive, these fathers called themselves ‘McDonalds fathers’,  it was highlighted that there was a lack of amenities in Barrow for fathers/male carers and their families, the first group was set up in a local community centre within the Hindpool ward for no charge,  the group was initially very quiet with only two dads but after 3 or 4 weeks fathers started to drift in and the group began to grow.  The fathers/male carers wanted to be involved in the development of the programme and soon started to put ideas together of activities they could get involved with their children, one of the first ideas was to join in the Barrow carnival which fathers/male carers and their families designed the float and really enjoyed the event.  The fathers/male carers wanted a Management Committee to look at the development of the programme and soon began to apply for small grants to carry out activities.  Barrow Dads Group is now a Registered Charity and has local fathers and professional on the Committee.  Barrow Dads Group has developed six local groups now all running on evenings and weekends and is nationally recognised working in partnership with local, regional and national organisations.

How is it funded?

Barrow Dads Group is funded through a number of grant providers such as Sure Start Barrow, Lloyds TSB, Francis C Scott, Sir John Fisher and are currently negotiating Service Level Agreements with a number of organisations.