Expectant Fathers Classes at King's secure new funding
Friday 27th August 2010
A new course of classes for expectant fathers has proved so popular in its first year that it has secured funding from King’s College Hospital Charity’s Small Grants Programme to support them for a further 12 months.
The Expectant Fathers Programme at King’s aims to teach expectant fathers the practical skills needed for becoming a father, such as learning how to hold, feed and bathe a child. The courses also help prepare fathers for the emotional and psychological impact of becoming a parent.
Expectant fathers who attend the classes learn why they have an important role to play in their child’s life, as well as understanding how having a child will impact on their lives, relationships and work. The classes, run by Working With Men, are highly interactive - fathers are encouraged to raise any issues that they feel could be important. In previous classes, these have included questions about the baby’s sleeping patterns, when it will be ok to resume intercourse with a partner after the birth, and what to do if a baby has a temperature.
Expectant father Gordon Blake has been attending the courses. "I was glad for the experience, the information and the time shared with the chaps in the same boat as me. That was the best part as well as that it really helped me prepare for fatherhood and gave me added confidence."
Patricia Sugrim, who works as a Midwife at King’s and has helped take some of the sessions, is delighted at the positive impact they’ve had: “I think they are really useful for fathers, and the response we’ve had has been really positive. People often forget how important fathers are in the birth process, especially the first time, and sometimes parenting doesn’t come as naturally for fathers as it does for mothers.”
The expectant fathers programme is held once a month in the Skills and Drills Room, 4th Floor, Golden Jubilee Wing at King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE 5 9RS. The next class will be held on 11 September, at 10am. If you wish to attend, please call 020 7237 5353 or email efp@workingwithmen.org
Expectant fathers who attend the classes learn why they have an important role to play in their child’s life, as well as understanding how having a child will impact on their lives, relationships and work. The classes, run by Working With Men, are highly interactive - fathers are encouraged to raise any issues that they feel could be important. In previous classes, these have included questions about the baby’s sleeping patterns, when it will be ok to resume intercourse with a partner after the birth, and what to do if a baby has a temperature.
Expectant father Gordon Blake has been attending the courses. "I was glad for the experience, the information and the time shared with the chaps in the same boat as me. That was the best part as well as that it really helped me prepare for fatherhood and gave me added confidence."
Patricia Sugrim, who works as a Midwife at King’s and has helped take some of the sessions, is delighted at the positive impact they’ve had: “I think they are really useful for fathers, and the response we’ve had has been really positive. People often forget how important fathers are in the birth process, especially the first time, and sometimes parenting doesn’t come as naturally for fathers as it does for mothers.”
The expectant fathers programme is held once a month in the Skills and Drills Room, 4th Floor, Golden Jubilee Wing at King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE 5 9RS. The next class will be held on 11 September, at 10am. If you wish to attend, please call 020 7237 5353 or email efp@workingwithmen.org
