How we've got to where we are

It's more than two years since John and Gary put the pressure on for U-Too dads to make a film about their experiences. Several of them subsequently took part in a film made by the Wiltshire Young Parents Project - with Jackie as the film maker - and then ran successful workshops at Wiltshire's Teenage Pregnancy Conference in Devizes. This encouraged them to set about raising money for their own film. John and Gareth initiated this process and, between them, submitted a bid for Big Boost Lottery funds through the Prince's Trust. After a long, drawn-out process they learned that they had been successful three months ago, but were disappointed to discover that they had been awarded only half the amount they had budgeted for. John has written a new bid, this time to the Wiltshire Young People's Opportunity Fund, and we hope to hear its outcome before the end of this month. So the film is very much a work in progress, to the extent that we are still uncertain whether we will have enough funds to see it through. So this blog is a bit of a hostage to fortune.

Not that this uncertainty has held us back. After we received our Big Boost award John and Gareth drew up a programme of activities, the first of which took place last Saturday. Eight young dads and dads-to-be from Salisbury, Warminster, Melksham, Calne and Swindon met at the Link Centre in Swindon. For several of them, this was the first time they had met, and "Who's the Daddy?" proved a successful icebreaker.

Questions included:
Who was a ballet dance in his youth?
Whose partner took her driving test, and didn't pass it, but didn't fail it either?
Which dad punched a wall, broke his hand, lost his job, and lost his dignity?
Which father shares an interest in dragons with his son?

They went on to work out what message they want the film to deliver, and the audiences they want it delivered to. The discussion was so intense that it continued outside during fag breaks, the arrival of a buffet lunch was ignored, and they had to be reminded that a session on the climbing wall was due to start.

So we've made a great start and look forward to a four month programme which includes courses in baby first aid and baby massage. Partners and children will be involved in these but the film will focus on the importance of dads, as well as mums, in the lives of their children.

So thanks to Brett, Chris, Den, Gareth, John, Marcus, Mark and Rob for a brilliant day, and let's hope that some of the guys who couldn't make it will be able to take part in the rest of the programme.