£10,000 grants available to support new fathers in Norfolk

New dads in Norfolk will be able to access more support in their communities, as part of a new scheme to boost mental health and wellbeing for fathers.

Norfolk County Council has launched a new grant scheme offering up to £10,000 to fund local groups supporting dads.

The funding is being provided through Norfolk's Start for Life and family hubs programme and will be administered by Norfolk Community Foundation.

The Perinatal Mental Health for Fathers Programme is offering a share of value of overall figure grants to voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) organisations working in Norfolk who support fathers in their first 1001 days of fatherhood.

The grants can cover things such as developing social spaces and peer support networks, father specific antenatal care groups e.g., support with feeding and routines or opportunities for fathers and their infants to engage in activities that strengthen their relationships amongst many others.

Charities, faith organisations, social enterprises and voluntary and community groups have until noon on Thursday 8 February to apply. Applicants must be based or operating in Breckland, Broadland, Great Yarmouth, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, North Norfolk, Norwich or South Norfolk.

Cllr Penny Carpenter, cabinet member for children's services, said: "Becoming a parent comes with a lot of new responsibility, which can be a daunting prospect and something that takes a lot of adjusting to. In all the excitement of bringing a new baby home, fathers can sometimes get forgotten where needing support is concerned.

"Specific support for new Dads is well overdue and these grants will help organisations support new and expectant fathers to feel empowered, informed and confident in their new role as Dad, as well as connect them to others with shared experiences."

Laura Wigby, Head of Programmes, said: "We're proud to be working with the County Council to help fund activities that focus on fathers' mental health. Charities, voluntary and community groups play a crucial role in supporting the wellbeing of parents and their children, and we are ready to fund a number of initiatives across the county to make a positive difference to so many families."

Chris Samuels, Norfolk father and panel member of the Start for Life parent and carer panel said: ''This fund represents a great opportunity to engage dads both with and without their children. Too many fathers feel isolated or overwhelmed without a safe outlet or support network and far, far too many fathers suffer in silence. I really hope that projects supported by this fund can have a long-lasting impact on the wellbeing of dads across Norfolk.

"It has been a real privilege to work alongside the Start for Life team as part of the Norfolk Parent and Carer Panel helping to shape this fund giving it the best opportunity to reach those projects who will have the biggest impact.''

To ensure the success of this project, an application process has been put in place to guarantee that the grants are given to suitable organisations which support a geographical spread of activity across Norfolk.

Find out more about how to apply, the application process and grant requirements.

To get involved with the parent carer panel visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/familyhubs