Becoming a new dad or partner can be challenging. Here are some national and local sources of support to help you on your parenting journey.
National
Dad Matters
Helping dads have successful relationships with their families, and supporting dads with anxiety, stress and mental health issues. Offers a free online New Dad Workshop for dads/partners with babies under 12 weeks old as well as lots of info/resources. Visit the website for more info.
DadPad
A free app for dads/partners living in Cambridgeshire or Peterborough (you just need to share your postcode when you download the app) – more info here. Or you can request a hard copy of a practical booklet to be sent to you for £12 visit the website to purchase.
Dads Matter
Empowering dads navigating separation to build positive ongoing relationships with their children, minimizing conflict and fostering healthy co-parenting connections. Visit the website for more info.
ICON
Helping people who care for babies to cope with crying – advice for parents aimed at protecting babies from shaken baby syndrome. Visit the website for more info.
PANDAS Foundation
Offering support for every parent affected by postnatal illness. Support for dads/partners who may be struggling with their mental health or caring for a mum with postnatal illness including resources, peer support, helplines (phone and text) and a weekly phone call on a Thursday for both parents. Visit the website for more info.
PETALS
Offers specialist counselling for parents who have experienced baby loss. Visit the website for more info.
Sands
Sands exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to support anyone affected by the death of a baby, before, during or shortly after birth, whenever this happened and for as long as they need support. Offering a closed Facebook page for bereaved men – uncles, dads, brothers, granddads – as well as online support groups. Visit the website for more info.
The Fatherhood Institute
The Fatherhood Institute is a UK charity working to build a society that values, prepares, and supports men as involved fathers and caregivers. It advocates for policy change and has info/resources about fatherhood and the law, employment, looking after your health, co-parenting and baby loss, including a guide to becoming a new dad. Visit the website for more info.
Tommy’s
For anyone who has experienced miscarriage or baby loss. You can talk to a Tommy’s midwife, trained in bereavement support, free of charge from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday on 0800 0147 800. The website has resources for dads/partners. Visit the website for more info.
Twins Trust
Supporting parents of twins, triplets and more. Offering a peer support service for dads as well as online resources. Visit the website for more info.
Local
Andy’s Man Club
Andy’s Man Club is a national charity that supports men going through a challenging time. There’s a group that meets in Huntingdon and there are online groups that meet via Zoom. Find out more here.
CPSL Mind – Supporting New Dads
Dads Matter is an informal eight week course for dads who are experiencing mental health challenges, feeling socially isolated or struggling to adapt to becoming a parent. Courses take place face-to-face in Peterborough and Cambridge. There are also monthly online peer support groups for dads via Zoom. You can refer yourself or ask a healthcare professional to refer you. Find out more here.
Domestic Abuse Support for Men
It is estimated that 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. The abuse may come from an intimate partner or ex-partner, or from an immediate family member/relative. There is local and national support available. Find out more here.
For Men to Talk
For Men To Talk organises informal online and in person groups for men with anxiety, depression and grief to support each other. Meeting online via Zoom or in person in St Neots. Find out more here.
Moody Mondays
Moody Mondays is a free community group in Huntingdon which offers an inclusive and informal safe space to talk, connect with others and take time for yourself. Find out more here.
Parent & Carer Hub
Parent and Carer Hub is for parents and carers in St. Ives and the surrounding area finding themselves in difficult circumstances perhaps due to financial hardship, homelessness or fleeing a home they no longer feel safe in. Find out more here.
RCE Wellbeing Hub
Offers short bitesize courses, online and face-to-face (in Cambridge), on a variety of topics aimed at helping adults look after their wellbeing and the wellbeing of the people they care for. Find out more here.
Reducing Parental Conflict
These free online courses and resources aim to reduce conflict by teaching you new skills and approaches so you can manage conflict more effectively. Me, You and Baby Too is designed to help new and expectant parents cope with the changes that could happen in their relationship when they become parents and learn how to cope with stress and conflict constructively. Find out more here.
St Neots Man Cave
A friendly and welcoming space for all men to attend, whether that’s for a cuppa, a chat or even getting involved with projects. Find out more here.
Talking Therapies
You can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies or find a therapist/counsellor via a local agency. Find out more here.
Walk & Talk 4 Men St Neots
A men’s mental health support group running regular Walk & Talk events in St. Neots, aiming to provide a way for men to release the ongoing pressures of daily life. Find out more here.
Yaxley & Farcet Men’s Shed
Yaxley and Farcet Men’s Shed is a place to pursue practical interests at leisure, to practice skills and enjoy meeting new people. Find out more here.