Dads Rock, an Edinburgh-based charity which supports bonding time for dads and their children, is set to expand thanks to a Big Lottery Fund award of £287,096.

Dads Rock will now be able to provide additional support for 180 dads and male carers over the next three years through its Scotland network of free playgroups for dads and kids. The project will create new playgroups, both in the community and within a prison setting, as well as a new counselling service and more father and child social outings.

Thomas Lynch, a founder member and current Dads Rock Board Member, said:  “This award from the Big Lottery Fund is amazing. It will allow us to support so many more families, and give stability to our current playgroups.  It will also allow us to employ staff and expand our services, by running playgroups during the week as well as the weekend, offering free counselling, working with young dads, and taking Dads Rock into the Prison setting.”

Dads Rock was set up by volunteers three years ago and has gone from strength to strength. Hundreds of dads and their kids have spent quality time together at the charity’s sessions at The Prentice Centre in West Granton and at WHALE in Wester Hailes.

David Millar has been attending the organisation’s Wester Hailes playgroup with his one year old son Matthew since May 2014.  David said: “It’s great to talk to other dads and get the benefit from their experiences. I’ve learned a lot of new hints and tips that have really helped with our family life at home. I go every Saturday and last week was the first time I took Matthew and our six week old twins, Mark and Jacob along with me.  Groups like this are a great idea as there’s not a lot out there for fathers, especially those who are struggling for help.  I look forward to going every week as it’s exciting, informative and I get to spend quality time with my boys.“

Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, Maureen McGinn, said: “As a charity set up and run by dads, Dads Rock knows exactly what support fathers need to be able to enjoy positive and rewarding relationships with their children. This funding will reach out to those men who might not otherwise have the confidence to attend a playgroup session or speak openly about their concerns as a parent. I’m delighted that this investment will enable their work to expand, helping many more fathers like David to develop their confidence and self esteem.”

Dads Rock is one of nine groups receiving funding, totalling £4,566 678, from the Big Lottery Fund’s Investing in Communities fund. The others are:

Scottish Autism
Award: £548,662
The ‘Get Set 4 Autism’ project will work in partnership with Autism Argyll to provide post-diagnostic support to families with children up to the age of 18 who have received a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The Senior Centre Castlemilk
Award: £168,360
This project will work with vulnerable older people in Castlemilk to provide a series of social activities, learning opportunities, information and advice, assistance with appointments and help with shopping and household repairs.

Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association
Award: £356,469
This project will support 90 older people who live in a newly build flat development in Moredun, Edinburgh. The group will employ a full time Community Capacity Builder and part time staff to help people settle in and personalise their homes.

PEEK – Posibilities for Each & Every Kid Ltd
Award: £605,776
This project will extend the group’s current Play Ranger model throughout the north and east of Glasgow.

Home-Start Angus
Award: £297,427
The “Bumps and Beyond” project will improve links with antenatal services and health and childcare services leading to increased confidence, self esteem and understanding of parenting skills. Volunteers will be recruited and trained to deliver the home visiting service families who need help.

Annexe Communities
Award: £629,696
This project will support up to 900 isolated older people in North West Glasgow over five years with a range of social events and healthy activities.

The Royal National Institute for Blind People
Award: £516,235
This  project will  work in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeenshire to support blind and partially sighted young people, aged between 15-25 years, helping them to move into training, employment, or further and higher education.

Muir of Ord Hall & Facilities Company
Award: £1,156,957
This project will refurbish and extend the existing Old Tarradale School, to create a community hub which will improve the centre of the village and provide a quality facility for the 3,300 residents as well as visitors to the village.

A further 22 projects will share over £20,000 of grants from Big Lottery Fund Scotland’s Investing in Ideas programme. A full list of those grants is available here.

Website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Twitter: @BIGScotland #biglf
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFundScotland