‘Our own little village’: New support group for dads hits the Bellarine

A FREE support group for new fathers navigating the transition to parenthood has launched on the Bellarine Peninsula, providing the opportunity for dads to exercise, bond with their children and connect with other dads.

The initiative, named Strong Dads, brings together a group of fathers and their young children on a weekly basis for some stretching, light exercise and a chat.

The group’s meeting place shifts with the weather and previous locations have included the Leopold Community Hub and the Ocean Grove beach.

Run by registered nurse Simon Moore, the initiative was inspired by a lack of available men’s health programs and Moore’s own desire for friendship and connection.

A father to two-year-old Elodie, Mr Moore believes that as societal norms around parenting have evolved towards calling for an equitable contribution from both parents, the needs of men have also changed.

“I think most blokes are becoming more emotionally aware and I think they’re looking for that support and connection because they’re used to that reliance on just the partner and it’s not sustainable,” he said.

“You can’t just have one person in your life that you rely on. You need that community; you need that network.

“That’s why I thought of this idea where we can do something that’s family oriented. You’re getting that bond with child, and you’re able to debrief and connect with other dads and share some ideas and experiences.”

Mr Moore hopes that as Strong Dads continues to grow, the program may attract the interest of sponsors or healthcare providers so its impact can reach more fathers who may also be seeking support.

For Jeremy Newman, Strong Dads fulfils his desire to connect with other fathers who understand the significance of the transition into parenthood.

“I could go to any gym, but I think I really crave the social aspect of meeting with people in similar situations, with similar experiences.”

“As mums do bond with other mums about the experiences they’re going through, I think it’s just as important for dads.”

Mr Newman attends the support group with his 18-month-old daughter Sofie.

“Obviously the exercise is a little bit of a tip of the hat and a nod to the fact that, for most of us, it’s the first thing to go out the window when our lives change, and we lose so much of our own time for ourselves,” he said.

“Using our time efficiently to bond as dads, for our kids to bond together and for us to do some exercise, I think it’s great.

“We’ve got our own little village.”

For more information, head to Strong Dads.