Dad Matters - support for new dads

A Walton Charity Community Grant of £10,000 will fund ‘Dad Matters’ - a one-year pilot project run by Home-Start Elmbridge supporting local dads at one of the most vulnerable times in their lives.

Fathers who are struggling, or whose partner is struggling, are very unlikely to seek help. As a result, the mental health of both parents suffers, relationships break down and babies do not form positive attachments with their fathers which can have a life-long impact on a child's emotional wellbeing. Home-Start Elmbridge want to help men across the borough to access support when they need it.

Our funding will benefit approximately 60 Elmbridge fathers with children aged from birth to two years, helping them to manage stress, anxiety and other mental health issues. The project will also bring together new dads who are going through similar challenges.

Home-Start aims to ensure that all expectant fathers will receive information about the 1:1 support available prior to their baby being born and will work with antenatal teams at local hospitals to offer specific 'dad sessions' as part of antenatal courses.

Carol Hodges, Scheme Director, said “This much needed pilot project will run for one-year from our schemes in Elmbridge, Woking, Runnymede and Epsom, Ewell and Bansted, in partnership with maternity services at Ashford & St. Peter’s and Epsom & St. Hellier Hospitals.

Home-Start in Greater Manchester has successfully run this project for several years and if our pilot is successful here, we will increase the coverage across all 8 Surrey Home-Start schemes.”