Becoming a new dad or partner can be challenging. Here are some national and local sources of support to help you on your parenting journey.
National
Dad Matters
Helping dads have successful relationships with their families, and supporting dads with anxiety, stress and mental health issues. Offers a free online New Dad Workshop for dads/partners with babies under 12 weeks old as well as lots of info/resources Visit the website for more info.
DadPad
A free app for dads/partners living in Cambridgeshire or Peterborough (you just need to share your postcode when you download the app) – more info here. Or you can request a hard copy of a practical booklet to be sent to you for £12 visit the website to purchase.
Dads Matter
Empowering dads navigating separation to build positive ongoing relationships with their children, minimizing conflict and fostering healthy co-parenting connections. Visit the website for more info.
ICON
Helping people who care for babies to cope with crying – advice for parents aimed at protecting babies from shaken baby syndrome. Visit the website for more info.
PANDAS Foundation
Offering support for every parent affected by postnatal illness. Support for dads/partners who may be struggling with their mental health or caring for a mum with postnatal illness including resources, peer support, helplines (phone and text) and a weekly phone call on a Thursday for both parents. Visit the website for more info.
PETALS
Offers specialist counselling for parents who have experienced baby loss. Visit the website for more info.
Sands
Sands exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to support anyone affected by the death of a baby, before, during or shortly after birth, whenever this happened and for as long as they need support. Offering a closed Facebook page for bereaved men – uncles, dads, brothers, granddads – as well as online support groups. Visit the website for more info.
StrongMen: Counselling, peer support and activity weekends for men who have experienced loss or bereavement. UK Mens Bereavement Charity – StrongMen
The Fatherhood Institute
The Fatherhood Institute is a UK charity working to build a society that values, prepares, and supports men as involved fathers and caregivers. It advocates for policy change and has info/resources about fatherhood and the law, employment, looking after your health, co-parenting and baby loss, including a guide to becoming a new dad. Visit the website for more info.
Tommy’s
For anyone who has experienced miscarriage or baby loss. You can talk to a Tommy’s midwife, trained in bereavement support, free of charge from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday on 0800 0147 800. The website has resources for dads/partners. Visit the website for more info.
Twins Trust
Supporting parents of twins, triplets and more. Offering a peer support service for dads as well as online resources. Visit the website for more info.
Local
Andy’s Man Club Cambridge
Andy’s Man Club is a national charity that supports men going through a challenging time. The Cambridge group meet at Coleridge Community College (side entrance from car park) on Monday evenings 7-9pm. There is parking available and the building is wheelchair accessible. Find out more here.
Cambourne Stay and Play Dads Group
A stay and play session for all male carers of children under 8’s to come and play. Booking required by calling 01954 284672 or emailing [email protected] £2 per family pay in cash on the day. Find out more here.
CPSL Mind – Supporting New Dads
Dads Matter is an informal eight week course for dads who are experiencing mental health challenges, feeling socially isolated or struggling to adapt to becoming a parent. Courses take place face-to-face in Peterborough and Cambridge. There are also monthly online peer support groups for dads via Zoom. You can refer yourself or ask a healthcare professional to refer you. Find out more here.
Domestic Abuse Support for Men
It is estimated that 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. The abuse may come from an intimate partner or ex-partner, or from an immediate family member/relative. There is local and national support available. Find out more here.
For Men to Talk
For Men To Talk organises informal online and in person groups for men with anxiety, depression and grief to support each other. Meeting in-person in Gamlingay and online via Zoom. Find out more here.
RCE Wellbeing Hub
Offers short bitesize courses, online and face-to-face (in Cambridge), on a variety of topics aimed at helping adults look after their wellbeing and the wellbeing of the people they care for. Find out more here.
Reducing Parental Conflict
These free online courses and resources aim to reduce conflict by teaching you new skills and approaches so you can manage conflict more effectively. Me, You and Baby Too is designed to help new and expectant parents cope with the changes that could happen in their relationship when they become parents and learn how to cope with stress and conflict constructively. Find out more here.
Romsey Mill Young Parents Programme
Provides intensive personal, educational and parenting support for first time teenage and young parents including one-to-one support, antenatal classes tailored for young mums and dads, postnatal groups for peer support and child development, parenting courses, support to move on to further training, education & employment. A specialist Young Fathers Worker support dads under the age of 25. Find out more here.
Saturdads in Waterbeach
An informal and friendly group for dads, grandads and carers with young children. Refreshments and sausage butty are provided for £1.50 per family. Find out more here.
Talking Therapies
You can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies or find a therapist/counsellor via a local agency. Find out more here.
