Dads and male carers are invited to a Portswood session to share their experiences and help improve local support services.
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This from Southampton City Council in their own words
Southampton City Council is inviting dads and male carers across the city to take part in a dedicated listening session aimed at improving and equalising local support for fathers, stepdads, grandads, foster carers, and other male carers.
Dad with Family Hubs backpacks. Photo: SCC
Being a dad can be hugely rewarding but it can also be challenging, and many men report struggling to access the right help when they need it most. To better understand these experiences, a special, male only discussion event will take place this March, providing a safe space for men to share openly and influence future services.
Event Details
Location: Trago Lounge, 190–192 Portswood Road, Portswood, SO17 2LB
Date: Wednesday 18 March
Time: 6.30 – 8.00pm
Capacity: Limited to 30 attendees (booking essential)
The session aims to give dads and male carers a direct voice in shaping what future support should look like and provide feedback on the support received from midwifery, health teams, and Family Hubs. This will enable services to become more inclusive and equal for parents and carers.
Male carers from all backgrounds are encouraged to attend, share their experiences, and help co-design more inclusive and effective family support in Southampton.
Lesley Weeks, Children and Young People’s Programme Lead at Southampton City Council, said, “We know that many dads and male carers want to be involved but often feel unsure where they fit into services that have traditionally focused on mums. This event is about listening to what male carers tell us they need. Their insights will help us build support that feels relevant, accessible and genuinely useful for families across Southampton.”
Councillor Amanda Barnes-Andrews, Cabinet Member for Children and Learning at Southampton City Council, said, “Dads and male carers play a crucial role in family life, yet sometimes support is not designed with them in mind. By taking part in this session, we can help shape services that better reflect their experiences and strengthen the support available to all families in our city.”
For those unable to attend one-to-one phone or WhatsApp conversations are available by contacting 07831 206736.
To find out more or book your free place, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..