| New
scheme to help young dads cope with ‘Prams, Pee and
Poo!’
Today
the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland, in conjunction
with Shankill Sure Start, launched the ‘Fatherhood Project’,
an innovative pilot scheme for young men aged 15-25 years
who need help and advice on being a dad.
‘Prams, Pee and Poo! – A Guide
for Young Men from the Shankill’ is the title of a new
booklet developed as part of this initiative to provide information
and advice about relationships, sex and how to cope if you
are a dad.
Lynn
Black, Health Promotion Manager for Sexual Health and Young
People at the Health Promotion Agency explained why this initiative
is being introduced:
“Research shows that many young dads are unsure about
how to get involved with their children or even what is expected
of them as parents. The ‘Fatherhood Project’ is
being piloted with young men in the Shankill area and aims
to support them and help them rise to the challenge of being
a dad.”
Hazel
Bell, Acting Manager for Shankill Sure Start, said:
“This initiative is about giving young dads confidence
and helping them to understand what they can do to support
their children. We all know that a positive father figure
in a child’s life can only be a benefit. Giving time,
emotional support and even just being involved can make huge
differences to children’s lives. We know that many young
dads are willing – we just need to show them the way.”
Colin
Brown, a young man from the Shankill area commented that initiatives
like this are much needed:
“Some of my friends have children so I know how difficult
it can be for teenagers to get used to having a baby. I know
that many dads tend to stay away from their kids because they
don’t know what to do and are too embarrassed to ask
for help. Schemes like the Fatherhood Project will help young
dads to get more involved.”
The Fatherhood
Project will be evaluated by the Health Promotion Agency and
may be expanded throughout Northern Ireland. Young men from
the Shankill area who would like to know more about the scheme
can contact Shankill Sure Start on 028 9087 4000.
END
Notes
to editors:
- The
Fatherhood Pilot Project is funded by the Department for
Health Social Services and Public Safety under actions to
support the Myths and Reality: Teenage Pregnancy and Parenthood
Strategy.
- Sure
Start is a UK Government programme that is designed to improve
the life chances of pre-school children and their families.
There are 23 Sure Start initiatives in Northern Ireland.
These initiatives are funded by the Department of Health
Social Services and Public Safety.
For further information:
Contact
Jenny Dougan at the Health Promotion
Agency on 028 9031 1611.
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