Dads Rock at 10!

We held the first ever Dads Rock playgroup in February 2012, time plays tricks on you, it feels like a lifetime ago, but also like yesterday.

David Marshall and I started Dads Rock as a reaction, we were Dads with toddlers, and we felt it was time to do something about the lack of services for Dads, about the lack of visibility of Dads and we wanted to shout from the rooftops about how important Dads are for their children, and indeed for their own self worth.

We started Dads Rock as we wanted to help Dads, mums, families and children. We wanted to improve support for them and give them the best start. Having fun was also important, as was our love of music. 

We were surprised and relieved by how popular Dads Rock was from the very beginning. I remember one Dad saying the playgroup was ok, but they didn’t think it would last. It’s that kind of encouragement that we needed to ensure we did more, and that we did last.

Ten years of existence for any charity is an amazing achievement, but these last ten years have been quite something for us all. At times you focus so much on the future and planning for expansion and thinking about how many more families you can help that you don’t stop to reflect and look back. 

There’s so many stories, so many Dads, mums, families and children that have been part of the Dads Rock family, and been part of our story. It’s been a privilege to walk alongside them. There are so many moments that bring a smile to my face, and a few moments that bring a tear. It’s been emotional, there’s a lot I wished I could have done better. However, I am so proud of Dads Rock, so proud of the love, work and commitment that so many people have given in its name. 

One story that stands out for me is about a young dad, in his early 20s, who had two young children. He would make a regular 30 mile round trip on public transport to be able to see his children, and wanted support to have the ability to be with them more. Our work with him and the social worker took a lot of time, and a lot of patience. Over this time he was able to be with his children more and the end result was that they were able to be together all the time. He was so proud of getting there. This is the work, as are the smaller moments, of a Dad and child having fun at a play park, or feeding a sheep on a trip, or getting to shoot water from a firefighters hose, or belting out a rock classic on the drums, or Dads talking about their mental health together.

So many moments that build a picture, that build the network of support that we all need, the community and shared understanding that being a Dad is the best job in the world. It’s tiring, and emotional, it's frustrating when you don’t know the right way ahead and realising that at times no one else does, and that others are in the same boat really helps. This is the love that Dads have for their children, the desire they have to improve and do the best for them. This is why Dads Rock exists, why we made it to 10 years, and with your support, love and passion we’ll keep on Rocking.