New dads can now get some great help if they’re struggling in any way over being a new parent.

Dad Matters Kirklees helps dads from pregnancy through to when the child is two-years-old and gives new dads a chance to talk over their concerns and worries with project leader Darren O’Donovan and other dads.

This often massively helps but if they are still struggling with other issues then Darren will help them access other services ranging from parenting courses through to mental health support.

Over the past few weeks he’s been out and about in Slaithwaite, Marsden, Milnsbridge and Linthwaite, to name just a few areas.

Dad Matters Kirklees is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and is part of Home-Start Kirklees, a local Kirklees charity which provides confidential, emotional and practical support to families with young children under 5, especially those facing daily challenges like isolation, illness, being a young parent or challenging child behaviour.

Darren said: “A very effective way to help new dads is through peer support – chatting to myself or other dads. The arrival of a new baby brings with it new responsibilities and roles and that can be a real shock to the system, raising anxiety and stress levels.

“Dads can self-refer by contacting us directly or can be referred by a midwife or other health professional. I’ll then contact them and speak over the phone before organising a meet-up over a coffee or a walk so they can tell me their concerns and family circumstances in total confidence.

“Often they’ll speak about worries they don’t share with their partners or families and many find that a cathartic experience, especially when they realise that many other dads have the same feelings and emotions over things like baby attachment, dealing with sleepless nights and returning to work after paternity leave.

“Many have had worries going round and round in their heads so it’s good for them to talk which helps them to rationalise what they’re feeling and that they are far from alone in feeling that way.

“We find that some dads feel a great deal better within a week of contacting us but on other occasions they need a referral to another specialist service.

“Either way, we’re here to help.’’

For more on Dad Matters Kirklees go to its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/dadmatterskirklees

For more on Home-Start Kirklees go to https://homestart-kirklees.org.uk/

Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases, blogging, website content, copywriting and ghost-writing autobiographies.