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More from the Fatherhood Institute

                              Reconnecting young people with their fathers

The Fatherhood Institute is developing a pilot 'Father-finding' project to support young people who do not see their fathers - to address issues arising from this experience, and to reconnect (where desired, possible and safe) with their father and/or with paternal relatives.

We are looking for: • Examples of good practice in this field
• Examples of good practice in the related field of ‘family finding’ where looked-after or adopted children are put in touch with relatives
• A partner organisation that engages directly with families and would be interested in developing child-father reconnections with us
• Individuals with relevant expertise interested in participating in an Advisory Group
• Organisations skilled in ‘discovery’ of long-lost relatives.
 The unique feature of this project is that it starts with the needs and wishes of the young person. The child is the client. It is therefore different from, and complementary to, projects which help distressed fathers connect with children they do not see.

If you can help, or if you need further information, please email Fiona Harrison.

Involving fathers in sickle-cell screening

 The National Institute for Health Research is researching how fathers are involved in ante-natal screening for sickle cell disorders.
 Are you a man aged 18-40? Have you become a father in the last three years? Was your partner a sickle cell carrier? Do you know that part of the care for mothers and fathers-to-be is to be offered screening for sickle cell?

If so, the researchers would like to hear from you. Please contact Dr Maria Berghs by email or call (01904) 321 612. If you know of a dad who may fit the bill, please pass on these details to him.

Young men and unintended pregnancy

 A team at Queen’s University Belfast is developing an educational resource about unintended pregnancy, aimed at teenage men. The resource, entitled If I were Jack... is based upon an interactive video drama, which tells the story of an unintended teenage pregnancy from the point of view of a young man.
 The If I were Jack... team led by Dr Maria Lohan is in the process of developing the resource for use within the relationship and sexuality education (RSE) curricula of post-primary schools in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and it will be available in summer 2013. It may also have potential for use internationally and outside of classroom settings.
 If you are interested in following the development of the resource, or accessing the research publications on which it is based, visit the If I Were Jack... website for more information. You can also contact QUB research fellow Áine Aventin by email or call 028 9097 2463.

Young dads survey

 The Family Strategic Partnership is working with a range of fathers' organisations (including the Fatherhood Institute) to find out how charities support young men to make the transition to fatherhood. They would like to hear from young dads about your experiences of becoming a father, from the time you found out you were going to be a dad, through pregnancy and the birth, to where you are now.
 The FSP will use the dads' stories to write a report that lets people know what support is out there for dads, and what's missing.

Take the survey here.
 If you have any questions about the survey, please email Jessica Cundy at Barnardo's.

 


The Fatherhood Institute, Unit 5 Warren Courtyard, Savernake, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 3UU

Phone 0845 6341328  
Registered charity number 1075104  Company number 3709549