Welcome to Dads R Us
Dads, grandfathers, uncles and other male carers of young children are welcome at our Centre. My name is George Washington and I’m the father’s worker here. My role is to let local families know about the services and activities we offer. And in particular, to find out what Dads/male carers would like to see happening.
Here are some recent comments from Dads attending activities at our Queens Road site:
‘People talk to me and this is not always the case for Dads at playgroups’.
‘Friendly atmosphere, welcoming all Dads. It’s a relaxing place to come.
Dads R Us
This group meets on Saturdays during term time from 10.30am to 12.30pm and is not just for Dads. Any adult male (father, grandfather, uncle etc), who cares for one of more pre-school-aged children for even short periods of time is welcome. The group is a place where Dads/male carers can meet up with each other in a relaxed friendly atmosphere. There are lots of indoor and outdoor play activities for children plus local outings.
‘It’s ‘’our’’ time, between my son and me, in a safe environment with his friends’.
“The mixed backgrounds of people attending is very wide, I would not get the opportunity to meet such people otherwise”.
‘He’s in an environment he’s familiar with and looks forward to this each week. He gets to spend time with his Dad’.
‘It gives my wife a break and my son time to get fresh air and meet new people from different
backgrounds’.
Click here for the latest Dads R Us newsletter.
The group is not off limits to Mums. On the 2nd Saturday of each month we welcome the wives/partners of men who attend the group, plus mums who work during the week.
Getting involved
We welcome your ideas on how to develop our Saturday group and also encourage more men to get involved with the Centre. We hold regular planning meetings for Dads and male carers. The next one will be on Sunday 27th June 2010 at Rio’s Coffee Lounge (296 Hoes Street) from 3pm. Come along to share your ideas, children welcome.
Reetu is one of a number of volunteers at the Children’s Centre who makes a big difference to the services we offer. She helps lead the Monday Outings to local playgrounds and open spaces. We also want to recruit male volunteers to get more involved in running Dads R Us and other activities. If you can help in this way please contact George (see below for details).
Are you on e-mail?
If you would like to be added to the mailing list to get our regular Dads R Us newsletter send an e-mail to George.washington@sch.walthamforest.gov.uk
What else happens locally?
All Children’s Centre’s welcome Dads/male carers at activities and some have specific groups for Dads.
- Barclay Fathers Group, Canterbury Road, E10 6EJ. NEW contact Angela Campbell for details. Tel: 020 8518 7015 or 07950968159 .
www.barclaychildrenscentre.org - Chapel End Father’s Group, Brookscroft Rd E17 4LH – 10am to 12noon on third Saturday of each month.
Contact Anna Hannaway or Sarah Wales on 020 8527 9192.
www.chapelendnursery.co.uk
- Church Hill Father’s Group, Woodbury Rd E17 9SB – First Saturday each month 10am to 12.30pm.
Contact Andrew Ludington on 020 8520 4919.
www.churchhillchildren.org
- Lloyds Park Father’s Group, Winns Ave E17 5JW – Last Saturday each month 10am to 12noon.
Contact Chris Rowley on 020 8531 9522.
www.thelloydparkcentre.co.uk
- Mission Grove Father’s Group, Buxton Rd E17 7EJ – 11am to 1pm on first Saturday of each month.
Contact Maria Fitzjohn on 020 8520 3487.
- Ridgeway Park Father’s Group, Peel Close E4 6XQ – 10am to 12noon every Saturday.
Contact Craig Leither on 020 8529 3885.
www.ridgewayparkchildrencentre.org.uk
To find your nearest Children’s Centre or other local activities have a look at the Councils online Children and Young People’s Directory www.csd/walthamforest.gov.uk
More information…
Useful websites with lots of information for fathers and fathers-to be are:
www.dad.info
www.dads-space.org
www.fatherhoodinstitute.org
