NEYDL-Annual-Rep-2023.indd

‘I follow the work of NEYDL from a distance, and am a fan of the organisation.’ (Gateshead Councillor and Cabinet Member) 8 North East Young Lads & Dads | ANNUAL REPORT 2023 DIGIDAD: FROM PETERLEE TO PERU By Kevin Stoodley A year or so on from the well-attended and indeed internationally attended launch of the DigiDAD platform (February 2022), and I’m pleased to report that DigiDAD is still going strong, attracting a whopping 30,598 YouTube viewers (compared to 12,400 in year 1), viewing times in excess of 1,049 hours and a 110 registered users who have successfully completed e-learning courses via www.digidad.uk. Moreover, contrary to our wildest imaginings, DigiDAD – a platform co-created with 86 local young dads (and counting) who have recorded over 1,100 volunteering hours whilst gaining employability skills (including scriptwriting, storyboarding, acting, presenting, research and filmmaking, social marketing and digital youth work) is attracting a diverse geographic audience with representation across the UK (including Northern Ireland, Scotland, South East London, Coventry and Wales) and further afield, including USA, Indonesia, Ukraine and Lima, Peru. ‘Way aye Peru!’ Building on the 35 short films, animations, podcasts and e-learning courses we co-created with young dads in preparation for the launch of DigiDAD, the platform’s content has grown significantly in the past year with the addition of the following series developed in partnership with Cumbria Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Following Young Fathers Further (The University of Lincoln), first aid consultant Carole Hewison and our 16 strong DigiDAD Advisory Board (with expertise in infant feeding, perinatal mental health and psychology, LGBTQIA+ community support, Family Law, Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting, Social Work, Youth Work and last but by no means least, lived experience of young fatherhood): • 6-part Paediatric First Aid • 6-part Perinatal Mental Health • 6-part Perinatal Parenting We have also developed a 3-part film series on behalf of the Fatherhood Institute to support social workers to understand the challenges faced by young fathers in families where children have social care involvement, have collaborated with FutureMen to showcase DigiDAD content on their pioneering parenting app and are putting the finishes touches to a 3-part infant feeding series and revised 0-6 month parenting course in line with changes to best practice, all of which will be made freely available on the new look DigiDAD website to be launched in early 2024. In addition to content made specifically for young dads by young dads, our regional young dads council members (AmbassaDADS) have peer researched and co-created a father inclusive toolkit for professionals (Think Dad!) accessed via DigiDAD and featuring extensive links to new films and recorded interviews with expert stakeholders. Moreover, DigiDAD is extremely proud to be the chosen host platform of a pre-recording of ‘Father Unknown’, a play inspired by and co-created with young dads from NEYDL (see article entitled A Standing Ovation: Father Unknown). NEYDL has also worked closely with Keda Consulting to create a comprehensive development plan to enable the platform to achieve the following vision and outcomes: The vision for DigiDAD is to become the leading platform providing young dads with a community and a comprehensive early years (age 0-2) parenting and relationship skills programme using multiple formats, which is externally recognised. DigiDAD aims to achieve the following outcomes: • Young dads have improved knowledge because of completing e-courses and watching videos on DigiDAD. The learning outcomes will be course-specific, within the content topic areas. • More minoritised young dads engage with NEYDL through our digital channels. • Young dads have improved peer-relationships and reduced isolation (through Video Gaming and Discord features). In addition, young dads from NEYDL have worked closely with Research Software Engineer Dr Mike Simpson (Newcastle University) to create a technical specification to upscale our current peer and professionally moderated video gaming channel (see article entitled Gaming Together). At the time of publication, I’m pleased to report that DigiDAD did the unthinkable, taking home winners awards in two categories at the prestigious Children and Young People Now Awards 2023 held in London (Advice and Guidance and Youth Work). Recognition if it was needed of the platforms trailblazing approach to supporting and empowering young fathers to be the best dads they can possibly be. DigiDAD! Made by young dads for young dads from Peterlee to Peru! ‘I’ve been working with a dad, supporting his confidence around parenting. I had attended a webinar of DigiDAD…and provided the information to a North East Dad I was working with. The Dad provided some feedback to me which I feel you should know. He said, “he had really enjoyed the DigiDAD parenting course”. He sent me two certificates, appeared really proud of achieving them, which supported raising his confidence around parenting…He said, “the courses were amazing!” Thanks, and thought you needed to be aware of the lovely, positive feedback you’ve been given.’ (Senior Resource Worker, Middlesbrough Council)