Friday 15 September 2023 was a very special day for Leeds Dads. We (along with 7 other organisations) were selected from over 90,000 entrants to be shortlisted to win the Community Organisation Award in the Gender category. This award recognises groups, charities and voluntary organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to their local community, or nationwide, with diversity as their core focus.
We were shortlisted as a result of:
- Focusing our services in geographic areas of poverty and need
- Being endorsed by HRH the Princess of Wales. When we met her in Leeds City Market she described our work as: “..really extraordinary.”
- Generating more health awareness of dads through Rethink Men – an activity day bringing partner groups together to offer ideas supporting the wellbeing of dads in Leeds.
- Increasing our monthly playgroups to become a service of weekly Dads Breakfast Clubs, Dads and Kids MeetUps, SoftPlay sessions, and Dads and Kids Walks
- Hosting Dadstastic Day – the biggest free family Father’s Day party in England, attracting 2500 mums, dads, grandparents, carers, oh and kids
- Creating a collaborative network of groups supporting dads in Leeds
- Hosting Dads Nights Out for dads who may be too shy to socialise
- Being honoured by presenting four workshops explaining our practices to family support workers at the 24th Fathers and Families Conference in Los Angeles, USA
- Contacting new dads as soon as they join NHS Leeds Maternity Service courses for new parents via a video of our dads talking about the challenges of being a new dad, and how they’ve addressed them.
- Keeping all of our core activities free of charge
Although we have sadly lost three dads who took their lives, many of our members have told us how as a group we have helped them overcome thoughts of suicide, alcohol and drug abuse, isolation and despair.
Hundreds of supporters voted for Leeds Dads to win and these quotes have made it clear how essential we are for the members we support with our free activities.
“I’ve been a part of Leeds Dads since before COVID-19. It has done wonders for me and my kids”
“Supporting Men in playing their part in parenting is vital for healthy children, adults, relationships and the wider community.”
“My son and his three young children go every weekend and have a fantastic time, it’s a way to get dad’s chatting while giving kids new friends to play with , my daughter in law also appreciates the break she gets from being such a busy full time mum, so it’s a win win the whole house benefits”
“Leeds dads has really given me a community and connection. It has also provided me with a special place to build the bond with my son. We go as often as we can. The walks are great but it’s the soft play where I get better time with my son and chat more with the dads. I like how there is no judgement on how you’re parenting, chances are another dad has also forgotten something too. Definitely gets my vote.”
“Leeds Dads have supported me during hard times and is truly inclusive”
“Leeds Dads helped me hugely when I separated from my ex wife and had events that both myself and my 3 children thoroughly enjoyed being part of”
“Leeds Dads reaches so many Dads. And in turn touching the lives of so many children. I have been to and supported lots of great events and the level of diversity is unparalleled”
A huge huge Leeds Dads welcome to everyone who voted for us, and to the organisations who helped to get us there – raising funds to attend the awards or otherwise supporting us. Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, Trans Pennine Express Trains, Child Friendly Leeds, Baby Week UK, Mens Health Unlocked, Dad Matters UK, Dads Rock, Fathers Net Scotland, Fatherhood Institute.
Big congratulations to Dope Black Women who were the winner of this year’s Community Organisation Award for Gender. It genuinely was an honour just to be shortlisted and Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral might be the most beautiful venue we’ve ever been in. There were lots of celebrities in attendance, from the wonderful host Claire Balding to Richard Blackwood, Katie Price, people from Corrie, The Chase and Love Island. Here’s Errol with his feedback on attending.
