ALL young and/or first-time fathers, dads-to-be and in general men who lack experience in parenting are being invited to attend a one-day event at Merkinch Community Centre on Friday 26th April.

Organised by Dr Trevor Escott of the Men’s Highland Health organisation, the day aims not only to help young men recognise the very important part they have to play in the life and happiness of their children, but also to make agencies more aware of the sheer lack of support for young dads.

“There are lots of clinics and groups for young mums where they can pick up information on how to improve their parenting skills, but few of them really tackle the role of young fathers,” Dr Escott told News & Views.

While it is widely understood that one-parent families seldom come about through choice, statistics show that children with the influence of both parents and a stable home environment are often more likely to succeed in school and in developing the self-esteem and social skills that will see them make a successful course through life.

Most young men, like their wives/partners, want to see the best for their children. But lacking the same support from society in general and some aspects of male culture in particular, it can be quite a tough challenge for young fathers, especially when they have problems, such as unemployment or relationship breakdowns.

The aim of the day is therefore:

• To encourage young fathers to take an active interest in fathering
• To negate the culture that suggests “babies are for women” only
• To increase the confidence of young dads
• To give young fathers more support
• To let young fathers appreciate the positive benefit of good relationships in their own health and happiness
• To help them understand the positive benefit they can have to their children and on their children’s future
• To persuade service providers that more should be done to help fathers
• To set up local groups to support fathers, and thereby benefit the community.

The main speaker at the event will be Rev John Chambers, the minister at Ness Bank Church. Prior to coming to Inverness Mr Chambers was chief executive of Relate, the family advice service, in Northern Ireland, he has been involved with family matters at United Nations level and ran a counselling service for divorced teenagers.

During the day, which runs from 10.30am to 3.30pm, there will be workshops, giving opportunities for young fathers to get together with various agencies such as community nursing services and social workers.

Throughout the day there will be tea, coffee, and snack lunches available.

Men’s Health Highland, which was founded in 1989, last year organised a public event in Inverness Museum and a meeting with GPs at Raigmore and have only recently given a series of talks in Porterfield prison. Dr Escott has been convener of the organisation for the last three years.

Anyone with an interest in attending can contact Merkinch Community Centre on 239563. Later on 26th April there will be an evening conference on the same theme as at Merkinch, to be held in Hilton Community Centre.