NEYDL-Annual-Rep-2023.indd

‘The videos (DigiDAD) were fun and made me feel more confident that I can do all the things new dads need to do.’ (A Young Dad) ‘All my mates knew about NEYDL already. Not just those that are dads, but lads, young men in general. It’s just something that people know about and respect.’ (Young Dad) 6 North East Young Lads & Dads | ANNUAL REPORT 2023 MEET THE TEAM SUPPORTING YOUNG DADS: A CASE STUDY By Doug Laidlaw & Steven (A young Dad) Steven was referred to the service at 16. At the time he was in a relationship with the future mother of his child (age 15). Both Steven and his partner had previously been cared for by the local authority and were living together. The referral for support for Steven came from the Pre-Birth Intervention Team who identified support needs around parenting skills and reduction in social isolation. Steven and his partner were not in education, employment or training at the time. Doug (NEYDL staff member) met with Steven to discuss the service at the family home. Steven asked if his partner could also attend part of this meeting to understand what support he could get. After discussing support and showcasing DigiDAD, Steven was keen to access this resource. Steven registered on the DigiDAD platform at our first meeting. Steven and Doug agreed a work plan and met weekly. Steven completed the DigiDAD programme. Feedback from Steven included: ‘The videos were fun and made me feel more confident that I can do all the things new dads need to do.’ Steven reported that his partner had also been watching the videos. As Steven grew in confidence, he started engaging in NEYDL’s peer supported group work offer including football, cycling, bowling, Escape Room visits and go-karting. In response, he has formed close friendships with other young dads from NEYDL and joined their video gaming group. As the pregnancy progressed, Steven called Doug and informed him that his partner had gone into labour prematurely and was rushed into hospital. Doug offered emotional support to Steven via telephone. Following the birth, Steven contacted Doug to inform him that the baby had to go into hospital in Middlesbrough. Steven didn’t know how he could make the 30-mile journey from home to visit his child. Doug supported Steven to make these visits and stayed with Steven during the initial visits to offer emotional support. After baby was transferred to the RVI Children’s Hospital, Doug continued to provide visitation support for a further 6 weeks. With Doug’s support Steven grew more comfortable and confident in caring for his baby within the hospital setting and one day announced: ‘Doug I’ve got this!’ Steven also started to ask the hospital staff questions concerning both his baby’s care and what support his partner and the baby would need when they came home. Doug and the Pre-Birth Team worked with the family to develop a support plan for when baby came home. Steven continues to be supported by NEYDL and dad, mam and baby are doing well. Unsolicited feedback from Steven included: ‘You were the only one I could ask for help, and you were always there for me.’` Andy Appleyard (Senior Young Dads Worker) Amy Bowman (Financial Officer) Colin Cowings (Young Dads Worker) Tom Jamieson (Community Beekeeper) Doug Laidlaw (Programmes Manager) Nathan Noble (Cycling Coordinator and Peer Enabler) Robert Oughton (Peer Enabler) William Patterson (Peer Enabler) Jordan Richardson (Peer Enabler) Nikki Rummer (Fundraiser) Kevin Stoodley (Founder and CEO)