independent Cornish news and comment

TWO SPECIAL SESSIONS FOR DADS THIS SEPTEMBER

Dads and male carers are being invited to to go along two special sessions at Children’s Centres in Kerrier this month.

The first is the monthly Who Let the Dads Out? session at St Elvan’s Children’s Centre in Porthleven this weekend (Saturday September 22).

These sessions are designed especially for dads and male carers to come along to with their children to take part in activities such as face painting, African drumming, table top football, table tennis and board games. A free breakfast, tea and coffee are also available.

The session, supported by Cornwall Children’s Fund and Cornwall Youth Music Action Zone, will run from 10.30am till 12.30pm.

Centre manager Kevin Archbold said: “These sessions have been running now since December 2006 and we have had a brilliant attendance from between 15 and 20 dads and male carers accompanied by around 30 children every time.

“Research shows that it is essential for the emotional, social, physical and cognitive development of a child that all adults in that child’s life have the skills and confidence to interact through play and these sessions provide the perfect opportunity for dads and male carers to do just that as well as supporting each other and having fun.”

Secondly the SaturDAD group from Trevu Children’s Centre in Camborne is holding a sponsored walk in the village of Portreath on Saturday September 29.

The group will meet outside the Cantonese Restaurant (opposite Windmill Nursery), Railway Terrace, Portreath at 9.30am and the walk will take place in Illogan Woods in aid of SaturDADs and the Pirate Trust.

SaturDADS is a group that runs every month at the Children’s Centre where dads and male carers meet with their children for activities, advice and support. The sessions, usually held on the last Saturday of each month, has an impressive membership of over 50 dads and their children.

The sessions usually last from 9am-12pm and start with a breakfast club followed by an activity which varies from month to month. The idea behind the group is for dads and male carers to spend quality time with their children, take part in interesting activities and meet and support other dads.

Ian Parsons, SaturDAD co-ordinator, said: “SaturDAD sessions have been running now for three years and were set up to encourage more dads to use the services provided at Trevu Children’s Centre. Research shows that the role of fathers is very important in the lives of their children and we are keen to support fathers to secure these vital bonds.”
Children’s Centres offers health services, a range of support for families, a toy library and access to training and employment advice for parents and carers. It is one of growing number of Children’s Centres being developed by Cornwall County Council’s Family Services across the county. The aim is that all young children and their families in Cornwall will be able to access Children’s Centre facilities by 2010. Further services at the centre include an after school sessions, access to health visitors, drop-ins, free IT access, links to the on-site nursery, toddler play sessions, parenting groups and various training opportunities.
For more information please contact Kevin Archbold on 01326 555370 or Ian Parsons on 01209 611725.

Notes to editors
Family Services works with a range of partners to provide high quality fully integrated services and support for families within their communities in Cornwall. There are six areas teams in line with the county’s districts which currently operate out of 20 Children’s Centres.

For information on Who Let the Dads Out? please call Kevin Archbold on 01326 555370 and for SaturDADS please call Ian Parsons on 01209 611725.