By Georgia FreeThursday 1 Sep 2022Hope DriveParentingReading Time: 2 minutes
This Father’s Day we are celebrating all of the wonderful men that support other men in the throes of fatherhood. One organisation that does that in spades is Dads Group, who are “changing the culture of fatherhood” in Australia one group at a time.
Dads Group founder and CEO Tom Docking joined Hope Drive to discuss how the program has made a difference to new dads across the country.
Dads Group was borne out of Tom’s need for support, when he and his wife Kate unexpectedly had a baby. Tom became anxious about the future and, unable to express those feelings to Kate, turned to dads around him for support.
“Fatherhood changes the internal makeup of your soul,” Tom said.
“I had fear about…what this meant for the rest of our lives.
“It’s both exciting and daunting… but those feelings were on steroids for me.”
“Fatherhood changes the internal makeup of your soul… It’s both exciting and daunting… but those feelings were on steroids for me,” – Dads Group founder and CEO Tom Docking
Fast forward eight years, Dads Group is a national organisation which promotes positive parenting for fathers and father figures, giving new dads the support and connection they need.
Dads Group contains a range of nationwide programs including physical and digital support groups, annual Father’s Day Man with a Pram walking events and a Dads Group podcast.
They have also developed a range of resources for hospitals and workplaces, to assist new fathers in each area of their lives.
But they aren’t stopping there. Eventually, Dads Group wants to reach every new father in Australia.
“There’s 300,000 babies born a year. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if each one of those fathers would feel like there’s an opportunity to be supported?” Tom said.
“Less than 1 per cent of fathers know where to go for support.
“For [dads] to know where to go when these challenges arise, we really want to make a difference there.”
Listen to Tom’s full interview on Hope Drive in the player above.
To find your nearest Dads Group or to find out more information, visit the Dads Group website.
For perinatal depression and anxiety support, call PANDA on 1300 726 306 or visit their website.
Encouragement for all dads no matter how differently you dad
Happy Father’s Day, Hopeland dads!
We hope you find these old and new articles, interviews and videos encouraging and/or entertaining in the lead up to Father’s Day – to continue to grow in strength as a parent, as an individual and in faith.
Visit our Father’s Day articles, interviews and videos page.