Dad's Conference 2010, March 27th

Sherman made the terrible discovery that men make about their fathers sooner or later that the man before him was not an aging father but a boy, a boy much like himself, a boy who grew up and had a child of his own and, as best he could, out of a sense of duty and, perhaps love, adopted a role called 'Being a Father' so that his child would have something mythical and infinitely important: a Protector, who would keep a lid on all the chaotic and catastrophic possibilities of life.
- Tom Wolfe, The Bonfire of the Vanities

Dad's Conference is a free programme of events taking place at Myatt Garden school on March 27th, from 9.30am until 3pm.

It’s open to male carers including dads, granddads, uncles, stepdads, brothers and their families.

Organised jointly by Lewisham Children’s Centres and the Pre-school Learning Alliance, the aim is to raise the profile of men as positive role models in children’s lives.

Speakers will include the Mayor of Lewisham, local dads and Tim Neville, Fathers Development Officer for Lewisham Children’s Centres. There will be workshops around healthy eating, storytelling with your child, sports activities and bush craft activities.

Partners and children are welcome to attend from 12 noon onwards for a free lunch and fun activities including entertainers, a 40 foot climbing wall, bouncy castles and music.

9.30am Speakers
11.10am Workshops – includingBushcraft, sports skills, cooking and salsa 12.00pm Lunch
1.00pm Activities including bouncy castles, a climbingwall, sport activities, and entertainment, music and much more.

To book a place, contact the Pre-school Learning Alliance on 020 8695 5955.

Lewisham Council's support is aimed at to encouraging more fathers to use children's centres, where men are typically underrepresented.

There are a number of fathers and male carer groups in the borough – some attached to schools, others attached to nurseries and children’s centres. For further information, contact Tim Neville on 07947 475064 or email: tim@neville.tc