Cardinia Shire Council offers more support for local fathers

Cardinia Shire Council is working in partnership with Anglicare Victoria to support fathers in Cardinia Shire through a six week face-to-face program. 

The free support group aims to help participants to navigate “the joys and challenges” that come with parenthood and early childhood, and has been specifically designed to support dads with children aged from birth to school-age.

Organisers hope that the groups will:

• build social connections with other new dads from the local area,  
• provide a safe and supportive environment for dads to share their experiences, 
• provide information about support services available, 
• explore early childhood development and early years services, 
• establish links within their community 

The first group will start from May 2024 and will be held at Anglicare Victoria’s Parentzone located on Army Road in Pakenham. 

Group sessions will be offered four times a year and run on a weekly basis. Dates for upcoming groups include: 

• 1 May – 5 June 2024 
• 17 July – 21 August 2024 
• 9 October – 13 November 2024 

Registrations close for May intake on 30 April 2024 and will reopen for the July intake in mid-May. 

Council also offers a range of other Maternal and Child Health services in addition to these support groups for dads, such as health and development checks, sleep settling programs, Smalltalk supported playgroups, and first-time parent groups. 

To find out more about the new Cardinia Dads groups or to register today, please visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/mch