Other websites & resources for Dads

I've just added several new links to websites with lots of really interesting info and resources for and about young Dads. Scroll down to look at the section 'links' on the side of the blog's front page. Click on the links to go straight to those websites. If you come across any other useful sites please leave a comment with the website name/address and I'll add it to the links! Thanks.

More good news

I spoke to Asha yesterday at the Prince's Trust and learnt that our bid for a grant to run the workshops has been successful. Just as well really as we've already run two of them! So thanks Marcus for putting the bid together, and to the Prince's Trust for supporting our work. We're hoping that at least half a dozen dads and mums will eventually gain an Arts Award from the workshops.

Nickolas arrives

Congratulations to Mark and JJ! We knew they had a good excuse for missing the rough cut last Saturday because JJ had to go into Great Western at the start of her labour. Well, it took rather longer than expected for Nickolas to emerge into the world. He did so around 9.20am this morning, weighing in at 5lbs 14oz. Both JJ and the baby are fine and Mark says he's "the most beautiful baby in the world". A proud dad!

Feedback from the dads

Now that filming has finished the dads who attended the first film session back in November have completed evaluation forms. These show how much their confidence levels have increased and their comments show how valuable the experience has been:

Den It was very good and am glad that I had the chance to have the opportunity to share this lifetime experience with the other dads.

John It's been a good experience and a chance to meet other young dads who are in the same boat as me.

Marcus The experience is really helpful. It helps you to understand what's what and helps you to get along and work with others. I would say to every young dad to do it.

Rob Dads need all the support they need and the film helps to explain this.

Chris I thought that filming the film was fun, and I hope that the film makes a difference to people.

Steven It's been an amazing experience and has made a huge difference to how I feel and my perceptions about being a young dad and meeting others.

New Dates for music & artwork

The next couple of dates for the diary are:

Music Technology 2 & Photography and CD/DVD design

Saturday 5th April 10.30-4.30, Link Centre

Music - bring any new lyrics/ send ideas to Den for another rap

Design - we'll be making designs for a U-Too Dads Logo, DVD and CD covers

- you can take part in both

Print Design 2 - Promo (postcard/poster/flier or similar) and the Dads Matter Too Calendar 2009!!

Saturday 3rd May 11-4.30, Link Centre

- bring photos you'd like included in the calendar, or we'll take them on the day...

Rough Edit & Skating Pix

Great to see 10 dads, 8 partners and 8 children all here today to look at sections of the edited film, rough drafts, the final baby massage edits (to the music made 2 weeks ago), and to talk through plans for the final content to be edited. Mike gave out certificates to those who completed the First Aid and baby massage courses. In the afternoon some people went downstairs to go skating and others stayed to do some more photography and work on their arts awards.  Markus and JJ were also in our thoughts, as we heard that their baby is being born today!

Video Editing & Music Technology Pix

What a great start to the media arts workshops - 12 parents (and 5 toddlers) took part in a busy day of editing, photography, arts award and music technology. Thanks to Alex Lupo for helping the Dads create a fab track using Logic Express, recording vocals, beat-box, and Den's Dad Rap (see December posts). It's great, but not going to be released until the DVD's ready!