Scheme to support new dads during Covid

The Fatherhood Institute is stepping up its ‘Dads vs Covid’ campaigns with online support groups for new and expectant dads

dads take less paternity leave

 

The Fatherhood Institute has unveiled a new scheme to help dads connect during the pandemic.

Many working dads are missing out on vital support due to coronavirus restrictions. Some are working from home meaning they don’t have informal conversations with colleagues who are also dads or perhaps older workers with experience of fatherhood. New rules in parts of the UK banning household mixing will prevent dads from seeing friends for coffee of beers.

Dads charity The Fatherhood Institute is looking to step into the breach. They are running free, small online groups for new and expectant dads. The scheme will offer emotional and practical support.

The scheme is being run in conjunction with the Best Beginnings charity and is funded in part by the Department for Education.

Each dads group will meet weekly, online, for three sessions. They’ll be guided and aided by two experienced facilitators. The sessions are to be a friendly opportunity to meet other dads during the pandemic.

Tips and information

They promise tips and info on a range of topics including managing stress, taking care of yourself and your baby’s mum, birth, bonding with your baby, breast-feeding, finances and your relationship. The sessions promise lots of information and resources.

You can register for the scheme here.

The Fatherhood Institute is also continuing to campaign for dads to be allowed better access to labour wards and maternity services. There’s been widespread anecdotal evidence that some men have been prevented from having a full part in their baby’s birth due to coronavirus rules. There’s been outcry about dads missing their baby’s birth, and mums finding out bad news at scans on their own.

The Fatherhood Institute is running a Covid-19 Maternity Survey. They hope to build a detailed picture of dads’, mums’ and professionals’ experiences of services during lockdown. To take part in the survey visit The Fatherhood Institute page here.





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