‘Family Man through the Ages’, which is part of the new My Dad Matters programme in Sunderland, was launched at Diamond Hall Infant School and immediately attracted an overwhelming response – with over 80 family men looking to take part.

The initial session was expected to include 15 family men and their children, but after the huge response from local dads and the success of the half-day event, Diamond Hall Infant School held a further four sessions.

‘Family Man through the Ages’ is delivered by Children North East Fathers Plus and North East Museums. It brings family men and their children together to share lunch, enjoy a giant games session, a visit from a historical dad and interactive activities such as children interviewing their dads with mini-video recorders. There is also a website with games for dads and children to play together at www.family-man.co.uk

Ruth Firth, Deputy Headteacher at Diamond Hall Infant School, said: “We were absolutely delighted with the reaction we received from our male family members and we’re looking forward to further expanding the programme by hosting additional sessions.

“It’s extremely important that we are able to build and maintain positive relationships with all our families – ‘Family Man through the Ages’ has allowed us to target male carers through an interactive, hands-on learning experience. Members of our school staff were on-hand to help facilitate the session – offering a friendly face from Diamond Hall Infant School.” David Van der Velde, Service Manager at Children North East Fathers Plus, says he was thrilled with the response from the families at the programme’s first events. He said: “For many dads the ‘Family Man through the Ages’ programme offers them their first experience of their child’s school life and we’ve had some outstanding feedback from the family men and children involved in the initial sessions.

“Having both parents involved with their learning and development can have a dramatic impact on a child’s education, for both boys and girls. This programme aims to support the city’s primary schools to become more inclusive of family men and to help teaching staff build and improve on their relationships with fathers.”

Judith Hay, Head of Positive Contribution and Economic Wellbeing within Children’s Services at Sunderland City Council, added: “The response which we have received to this programme, from both the families and schools involved, has been outstanding. As part of the new My Dad Matters in Sunderland programme, ‘Family Man through the Ages’ will help complement the city’s existing services which aim to support family men in becoming more involved in their children’s lives.”

Following the event in the east of the city ‘Family Man through the Ages’ has now been rolled throughout Sunderland, including sessions at Grange Park Primary School, Hudson Road Primary School, Barnes Junior School, Southwick Primary School and Easington Lane Primary School.

In addition to ‘Family Man through the Ages’ the My Dad Matters scheme will introduce a series of new, free programmes to encourage dads to become more involved with their children. Evidence has shown that children with involved fathers do better at school, stay out of trouble, are healthier and form better relationships in later life.

The My Dad Matters in Sunderland programme brings together Children North East Fathers Plus and Sunderland City Council to support all family men living in the city and is aimed at all family men, including fathers-to-be, dads, grandads, step-dads, uncles and other male carers.

The My Dad Matters programme is being delivered in Sunderland by Children North East Fathers Plus Service in partnership with Sunderland Children’s Trust.

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