Who are Fathers in Gloucestershire?

F.i.G. is an open network of agencies who are working with, or have an interest in, working with fathers. F.i.G. is hosted by the Playgroup and Toddler Association (see link), a charitable agency which delivers support services and training to individuals and settings offering childcare, education and play opportunities . Membership is also open to fathers who wish to get involved.

The structure of F.i.G.

The work of F.i.G. is guided by a Steering Group that consists of 2 members who represent Voluntary Agencies and 2 members who represent the Statutory Sector.

Terms of Reference for the Steering Group

Implementation of work and projects is carried out by members of the Implementation Group. Membership of the Implementation Group is open to anyone with an interest in working with fathers in Gloucestershire.

Terms of Reference for the Implementation Group

How and why F.i.G. developed

F.i.G. is a new and innovative organisation built on existing partnerships within the local voluntary and statutory sectors in Gloucestershire, that are committed to supporting fathers and celebrating fatherhood. F.i.G. has developed as a support structure for fathers and people working with fathers in the county due to:

•  The realisation that fathers are a marginalized group, as traditional services and parenting support are largely directed at mothers.

•  Small, innovative, but fragmented projects were working with fathers in the county. Co-ordination, development and support for these projects under one ‘umbrella' would reduce the risk of duplication of these scarce resources, provide coordinated signposting to services and enhance the provision of services for fathers in the county .

•  There is a need to bring together, document and disseminate the good practice work taking place within the county, and for F.i.G. to act as a conduit to promote national good practice within the county.

•  To give fathers a voice in Gloucestershire and act as a forum to discuss, develop and implement work in support of them.

Aims of F.i.G.

The aims of F.i.G. are:

•  to establish, develop and co-ordinate F.i.G. as a support structure for fathers and agencies working with fathers in the county.

•  to provide a focus for current and new work with fathers and serve as a resource for this work.

•  to provide a structure within the county through which fatherhood, in all its diverse forms, can be publicised and celebrated.

•  to reach ‘hard to reach' fathers, including fathers from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups.

•  to target groups already worked with by F.i.G. members, including young fathers, fathers who do not live with their children, single fathers, fathers with a mental health problem, and fathers experiencing parenting difficulties.

•  to provide services through the F.i.G. network, which will operate flexibly throughout the year to meet the needs of different groups of fathers, including evening and weekend services.

The work of F.i.G. is guided by an Action Plan which all members have contributed to. The Action Plan provided here demonstrates the work that F.i.G members are involved in across a range of issues concerning fathers. It is intended to be an evolving Action Plan; if you are interested in the work described in the Action Plan and contributing to the work of F.i.G. please do get in touch.