By Jessica Anstice
A Dad’s Group that will aim to connect dads in a family friendly environment where they are encouraged to spend quality time with their children may soon be formed in Berwick.
Dad’s Group has submitted their idea to Pick My Project.
Pick My Project is a Victorian community grants initiative with at least $1 million in funding available in each metro and regional area.
Residents are eligible to vote for three project ideas in their local community to help make them a reality.
Dad’s Group connects dads in local ethnic and migrant communities, so they can share their experiences, make new friends, and enjoy healthier, happier family lives.
“The project will initially be looking into the diverse community to begin with,” project leader Seeyer Rahimi said.
“Overtime we will be widening the idea of the Dads Group to not only the diverse cultural community.”
The sessions/catch ups will be self-managed by one to two individuals in the community who wish to take on the responsibility and will be facilitated by Dad’s Group by providing the right support.
Engaging new dads with regular catch ups improves parent-child bonding at a very early age, reduces anxiety associated with changing relationship dynamics and improves partner relationships.
One of the greatest impact to community is its positive impact in promoting gender equality by encouraging father’s to take greater role in household responsibilities, particularly in migrant communities where women are the expected care givers in the family.
“When a father is more involved and more connected with their child, the family dynamics tend to be more positive,” Mr Rahimi said.
“There are lots of add on benefits which also touches a lot on mental health. The benefits from a program like this are huge.”
Dad’s Group Inc. CEO Tom Docking said there is nothing else out there like this program which helps new dads as well as mums.
Dad’s Group Inc has around 50 groups across Australia.
“We’ve proven that what we are doing works really well for supporting new fathers and families,” Mr Docking said.
“This project is about reaching out to a specific demographic that aren’t supported and are isolated due to cultural and language barriers.”
