Our Impact

Evidence shows that community dads’ groups benefit dads – they value the time to solo parent, to bond with their child, to share experiences with other dads, to learn parenting skills and to feel less isolated. For children, they love the chance to play, mix with other children from different backgrounds and to hang out with dad at the sessions. Mums have told us it’s great to see dad spend quality time with their child, to build their self-confidence and to take on new parental responsibilities, as well as have a few hours to themselves. For delivery organisations, such as schools, community organisations, Family Hubs and social workers, they tell us dads groups are important to help them reach a broad cross-section of local fathers, to help them support fathers’ parenting skills and to signpost dads to other support services in the locality. For policy-makers, funders, commissioning bodies and government agencies, community dads groups play a crucial role in building social cohesion, tackling inequalities, supporting vulnerable families and encouraging better outcomes for men’s health and wellbeing. A growing body of evidence shows that community dads’ groups are a key part of the social health of our communities.

Members can access research about the value of dads’ groups by logging-in. Our resources for members also include guidance and training on how to evaluate your work, who might help locally and how to effectively present your findings.

The Dads Network CIC, as the membership body for all community dads groups, offers practical support to its members and helps those wanting to set up a new dads group. One of our main aims is to evaluate the work being delivered in communities across the country and to advocate the immense value of dads groups, which is currently poorly understood and communicated. We also work with sponsors, funders, commissioners and other supporters to draw down investment and resources to support dads groups.