Please note this program is currently closed. For more information about other support options, call us on (08) 8440 2299 or email cfc@unitingsa.com.au
Using connection to help men to become great fathers is at the heart of a new program being piloted by UnitingSA.
Dad Circle brings fathers and male carers together each fortnight to socialise, connect and share parenting experiences in an informal, welcoming environment.
Hosted at Junction Community Centre in Ottoway, the sessions are free and include a guest speaker, light meal and chance for participants to chat and learn from each other.
UnitingSA Communities for Children project officer Fabio Boniardi says the Dad Circle program grew out of an identified need for better supports for fathers in the western suburbs.
“I did a lot of research and found out that unfortunately there are not many services for men and even less for fathers,” Fabio says.
“Then I started to think about what makes a good father. How can we give people the skills or the capacity to become a better person?
“I realised that the best thing to do is put people together – this is part of who we are.
“Our ancestors used to sit around the fire and talk. When we sit in a circle as human beings, we start to talk about footy or the latest TV show and our conversation eventually turns to values or religion … a lot of different things.
“When people can link, the magic happens.”
UnitingSA Communities for Children project officer Fabio
Dad Circle began in late September and sessions are currently scheduled fortnightly until Christmas.
The first guest speaker was professional baseball player and Olympic medallist Tom Brice, who shared his personal experiences as an athlete and father.
“He spoke about how challenging it was for him moving from a very successful career to a 9 to 5 job, along with the challenges of being a father and stepdad,” Fabio says.
“What was amazing was he was able to share a lot of personal things in the circle and that was not expected.
“In a short time, the men in Dad Circle have created a very strong bond and even I am benefitting from it, as a man and as a father.”
Upcoming guest speakers include Simon Halliday, from Lutheran Care Ingle Farm, Tony Wyld, from the Australian Men’s Shed Association, Arnold Bonilla, from Relationships Australia SA, and Uncle Lewis O’Brien and Alex Houthuysen, who will talk about fatherhood in Aboriginal culture.
Fabio says the goal of Dad Circle is to use connection to help men to become better fathers, and ultimately pass this knowledge down the line.
“If someone is a good man and a good father, they will be able to help their child to become a good man and a good father … it’s a continuing circle of positivity. The same goes for daughters,” he says.
“I would like this group to give people the opportunity to come and speak freely without being judged.
“That’s a missing gap at present – we are really connected with technology but not in person.
“I think everyone who is a father can benefit from this.”
Please note this program is currently closed. For more information about other support options, call us on (08) 8440 2299 or email cfc@unitingsa.com.au