Invite them and they will come…

It was the hottest day of the year so far, and the first day of half term, and some messaged to say they were not going to make it as they had set off early to Dover expecting delays. 145 dads, grandads, male carers and their kids did turn up and enjoyed our first public session at Vauxhall City Farm. Dads and kids from our London clubs turned up in good numbers, but the others were all strangers that bravely brought their kids along to play, learn and have fun. Connections were made with new found fellow fathers and their children, and activities around the farm were enjoyed. Prizes were on offer for the Lego and Art Competitions, the Lego Letters Hunt. Lunch was free. Over 170 books donated by the Children’s Book Project were chosen by dads, male carers and kids and given away for them to take home and read together. Most stayed for a few hours, did all the activities and toured the farm, some stayed for the full 4 hours and revelled in the safe space that invited them to learn, connect and make meaningful memories.

Some dads and mums, who were either attending or visiting the farm, were surprised to see so many men as sole carers of their kids, which for some initially is a spectacle. My biggest surprise was the reaction of a grandma, who curiously watched the set-up and first few hours. She asked what we were doing, and I presented the Dads Kids Club line; “we invite dads to get more involved in their kids' learning” to which she swiftly replied “Thank You”. Caught by surprise, and a little overwhelmed by the speed at which she saw the difference dads and male careers can make, I replied with “we were trying to do things differently for everyone” and she repeated “Thank You” again. I proudly accepted the thanks on behalf of 62 dads and 7 volunteers that made change that day.

On reflection, we’ve recently been unsuccessful with a number of funding applications that all said roughly the same thing - that they couldn’t see the value for money in our work, or understand who would benefit from it, essentially saying it offers limited return for their investment. Yet this grandma spotted it immediately and instantly invested her gratitude. She was not alone, another grandma in Yorkshire said “Thank You” to the Head Teacher the Monday after the school's first Dads Kids Club session. We believe there are approximately 3,222,456 male parents of 5,381,503 primary school children across the UK. Imagine if every dad or male carer heard that grandma, and got more involved in their kids' learning, encouraging them to be more engaged in their education to create great life opportunities for both of them.

The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell, is a really important book that I often refer back to. It is a groundbreaking exploration of how ideas, products, and social behaviours spread like viruses. It defines the "tipping point" as that magic moment when a trend, idea, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire. Here’s a wonderful quote from the book:"

Look at the world around you. With the slightest push, in just the right place, it can be tipped." — Malcolm Gladwell, The Tipping Point

We’re at the start of the story - 145 attendees showed up and had great fun connecting and learning together. Thanks to that grandma, and the other grandma, they can see value in the change were creating - here’s to reaching the tipping point where dads kids' only filled spaces are no longer surprising.

A huge thanks to the amazing volunteers that made it possible and to the Vauxhall City Farm staff who went above and beyond to make our first session together a success and great fun.

Scott

I'm Scott. Founder of Dads Kids Club. We're a dad-led Community Interest Company that invites men to get more involved in their kids' education - improving children's educational engagement, men's mental health and life opportunities for both. 

We invite, train and mobilise dads, step-dads, grandads, uncles and male carers to co-run screen-free, hands-on Saturday clubs at their children's primary schools. Men share skills, connect and bond. Children enjoy beyond-the-curriculum activities - building confidence, new skills and memories that last. We celebrate all masculinities, backgrounds, identities and beliefs.

If you work in education, family services, philanthropy or simply believe in what happens when dads show up - I'd love to connect.

📧 info@dadskids.club 🌐@DadsKidsClub (on Instagram)