The Plymouth Dads Project (PDP)

The Plymouth Dads Project (PDP) is run by Dangerous Dads CIC to support all father figures and their children living in or near Plymouth.

PDP is organising a range of fun monthly activities, including creative events for dads and their children aged under five, and monthly events for children over five years old. In addition, the project runs monthly Conversation Cafés for dads and male carers to talk about the challenges and opportunities involved in being a father. All the activities are run by experienced and qualified facilitators and are totally free. The events for dads and children take place on Saturdays and, to date, have featured campfire cooking, charcoal-making, apple pressing, autumn crafts and messy play activities. Activities are outside as much as possible but the PDP has lots of indoor space – and hot drinks – when needed.

Conversation Cafés

The Conversation Cafés run once a month (usually the last Tuesday of each month) and are male-only spaces where men are encouraged to talk about the challenges and rewards of being a father figure. They are also safe spaces where dads can get peer and professional support. At the moment, the Cafés are on Zoom but we will return to face-to-face meetings – with pizza – as soon as we can.

The focus of UPPScale's research

Rebecca Carter Dillon and Rowena Passy from the University of Plymouthare undertaking a research project to look at the impact of the Plymouth Dads Project for themen involved. They are working closely with Dangerous Dads CIC as part of theirwider body of work supporting and providing fun activities for dads and theirchildren in Devon and beyond.