Dads matter too in young fathers DVD

3:00pm Sunday 22nd June 2008

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YOUNG fathers from west Wiltshire have created a film to try and dispel some of the negative ideas people have about them.

The group, who met on a young dads-to-be course in Melksham, want the film to be shown to health workers and other new dads to show them the positive role they can play in their childrens' lives.

They spent six months making the film, which they have called Dads Matter Too, applying for grants from The Prince's Trust and Wiltshire Young People's Opportunity Fund (WYPOF), filming, editing and creating their own soundtrack.

The film features interviews, discussions, and clips of dads with their children, doing first aid courses, swimming, baby massage and lots more.

Mike White, of U-Too, the not-for-profit company that ran the dads-to-be course, said: "The dads feel that as a group they don't get a good press.

"They are well aware of the difficulties they face. They feel health service professionals often overlook them during their partners' pregnancies. They experience family conflict, accusations of being too young, problems with housing and finance and tensions in their relationships with their partners.

"So they have ambitious aims for the film. They want it to show they are willing to face up to their responsibilities as parents and that they recognise their importance in the lives of their children."

The dads hope the film will raise awareness among politicians and the general public of their experiences and they also want it to help inform the national debate about teenage parenthood, challenge stereotypical prejudices and remind people that dads matter too'.

John Pratt, 24, of Market Place in Westbury, was one of the young dads who came up with the idea for the film.

He said: "For most young fathers, the reason they run off is because they're scared. But there are organisations out there that can help. We want to show them that even if they've had children they can still have a life.

"No-one should think that dads are going to run off. Hopefully the DVD will show them we are here to stay and we are not going to abandon them."

The film is launched at 2pm tomorrow at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

To order a copy of the DVD send a contribution towards costs and delivery, suggested at £10, with your name and address to Mike White, U-Too, Link Centre, Whitehill Way, Swindon SN5 7DL or call (01380) 850547.