A group of young dads-to-be and young dads in Swindon and Wiltshire have been working together since November last year on a film that is intended to underline their importance in the lives of their children. The group was awarded grants from the Lottery Big Boost through the Prince’s Trust, from the Wiltshire Young People’s Opportunity Fund and, more recently, from Wiltshire SureStart Children’s Centres. Two planning meetings were held in Swindon, one in November attended by eight young fathers, and the second a month later attended by six couples and three young fathers without their partners. These meetings determined the focus of the film and both were followed by activities, all of which were filmed.

A baby first aid course followed in January this year, also in Swindon, where three couples and two other young fathers, were awarded an Emergency Treatments certificate, valid for three years. In February two couples and one young father attended a baby massage course in Trowbridge. Both these courses were filmed. In addition, interviews with five young fathers and three couples have also been filmed in Swindon and at various locations in Wiltshire.

In February Dads Matter Too learnt that the Prince’s Trust had some money available for further projects and a bid was submitted for five technical workshops. Although these have some connection with the film they will enable participants to gain a range of skills. These will enable them to put together a portfolio through which they could gain a Bronze Level Arts Award. The first two of these workshops, on Music Technology and Digital Video Editing, took place recently, attended by five couples and two young fathers without their partners.

A rough cut of the film is being shown to the group in mid-March, where final decisions about the content of the film will be made. After final editing the film will be made available to all interested parties. We will be asking for a donation of £10 to help offset costs that can’t be met from the grants.

To find out more . . .

A blog of the project can be found at http://www.dads-matter-too.blogspot.com This records the progress of filming since November. Please take a look, and post a comment if the urge takes you.

If you would like to obtain a copy of the film, or find out more about the process behind its development, please contact Mike White at:

Snail mail: U-Too Community Business Ltd, Link Centre, Whitehill Way, Westlea, Swindon SN5 7DL
Email: mikewhite.bromham@btinternet.com
Landline: 01380 850547
Mobile: 07875 639992