Tuesday 7th November saw the launch of DadSpace Ashford. With an existing presence in Maidstone and Sevenoaks, this is now the 3rd local town to benefit from our unique flavour of Brotherly Support Between Fathers.
Thank you to “Repton Connect Community Centre” for the use of their space. This was the home of “Chew The Fat”, a community mental health project for men led by Pete Bailey, in which he provided weekly drop-in sessions for over 18 months.
The synergy between DadSpace's mission to support additional local towns and Pete's remarkable dedication to men's mental health has made this collaboration in Ashford a natural progression. Together, we are committed to shattering the stigma that surrounds the idea that men don't talk. As Denver shared the origins of DadSpace and our recent triumph at the "Kent Mental Wellbeing Awards," it became evident that this journey was not just about talking, its about the courage to step through that door.
The talking piece is a key part of our sit down sessions and this new group is no exception. We uphold our Rules of Engagement: Courage, Confidentiality, Honesty, Being Mindful of Others, Non-Judgemental, and Respect. For a first session, there was some real bravery in that room. The atmosphere was one of trust, as if we had been a united group for many years, not just a matter of hours.
We rounded up the evening by reflecting on our own childhood memories, values and traditions. From the importance of sport, to family time and the versatility of the humble dinner table, bringing people together for a Sunday roast, playing boardgames and creative projects such as carving pumpkins (or even Turnips)! - it's these moments that bring us closer.
"If even one of the guys sleep better tonight, it was worth it." Pete Bailey - Former Host of "Chew The Fat" in Ashford
"The journey has just begun in Ashford, and we're excited for the next event here on Tuesday 5th December." Denver King - Director
"The support and motivation goes both ways, everyone left with a sense of accomplishment and pride tonight." Michael Bright - Co-Director
Explore our calendar for more details on upcoming events, including our 2-year anniversary celebration in Maidstone and our Christmas Family event in Sevenoaks. Here's to the journey ahead! Book your free event tickets here
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