Dad Matters launches in Surrey

Patron of Home-Start Elmbridge, Ruth Langsford, joined around 60 Health and Family Services professionals at the Riverhouse Barn in Walton for the launch of Dad Matters Surrey, a one-year pilot project to complement existing services provided by Home-Start in Elmbridge.

The project, which has been running successfully in Greater Manchester for several years, aims to support Dads with newborns and up to two years, helping them to secure attachments with their child, support their mental health and signpost them to vital services.

Ruth Langsford, who gives her full support to the work of Home-Start Elmbridge, was very interested to learn about the Dad Matters project. “What a wonderful partnership this is,” she said. “It’s brilliant that there will be a focus on Dads as well as Mums, providing a complete family support package when it is most needed.”

Chief Executive of Home-Start UK, Peter Grigg, spoke passionately about the work of Home-Start and introduced Kieran Anders, founder of Dad Matters who gave an inspiring presentation on how the organisation supports Dads. Robbie Forsaith explained how Dad Matters will work within Surrey.

The Dad Matters Surrey project will be run by Home-Start schemes in Elmbridge, Runnymede and Woking, Epsom, Ewell and Banstead, in partnership with maternity services at Ashford & St Peter’s and Epsom and St Helier Hospitals.

For information on Dad Matters, or to refer a family for support, please visit https://dadmatters.org.uk/surrey/ or email dadmatters@homestartsurrey.org