Charity hopes to ease isolation of new fathers
Jack Maclean/BBCA group to support new fathers hopes the sessions will enable dads to feel less isolated by connecting with others while also bonding with their baby.
The Get Me Out The Four Walls (GMOTFW) charity, based at Mason Road, Norwich, is behind the new project which aims to help fathers maintain strong mental health.
Charity manager Carrie Dagraca said: "Quite often dads are a forgotten group.
"Blokes aren't quite as good about talking about their feelings, but it's very important for the wellbeing of the whole family that dads just don't suffer in silence."
Jack Maclean/BBCShe added: "We know the mums need support, we know mums can suffer from mental health issues, both during and after their pregnancy and we do have a free peer support service for any mum or dad that is experiencing mental health issues."
GMOTFW, which has been running for 10 years, said the meetings were focussed around the use of Lego and other modelling bricks, the idea being this activity will encourage all ages to bond.
Explaining more about why the "construction" idea was adopted, Eleanor Mason, chair of trustees for GMOTFW, said: "We've really tried over the years to appeal to dads and to get dads to come and see us, and we've found activities like coffee and a chat is not working.
"Dads do not want to come in, sit in a circle and talk about their feelings. So we figured, just do something a bit different, get the Lego out, they can sit down with their children, have a play, build a house, build a car, build whatever and have a chat.
"Then if they do decide they want to talk to somebody they can do that afterwards, but just coming along and having some fun, that's fine too."
Jack Maclean/BBCThe new group's first session was on Saturday and will be run on a monthly basis.
The sessions are open to fathers with children under the age of two, or dads-to-be who "may wish to come along to experience what it is like to have small children".
Older siblings are also welcome, the charity said.
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