Reimagining Fatherhood: A Conversation with Dan Flanagan of Dad La Soul

Recently, Dad La Soul were successful in their crowdfunding campaign, ans we at Future Men could not have been more pleased.

In the third instalment of Agenda Dad, Future Men hosted Dan Flanagan FRSA , founder of Dad La Soul , to discuss a new approach to supporting fathers. Dad La Soul provides a unique platform for fathers to connect, share their experiences and challenges, and ultimately improve their mental health and well-being.

Inspired by the Native Tongues hip-hop collective, Dad La Soul aims to create something positive and new from the "weird and wonderful."This innovative approach challenges traditional notions of masculinity and fatherhood, encouraging men to engage with their emotions and support each other in a safe and judgement-free space.

To watch the video in full, click here - Agenda: Dad.

Addressing the Loneliness Epidemic Among Men

Flanigan highlighted a concerning statistic: 84 men die by suicide each week in the UK, three times more than women. This is often attributed to men's reluctance to seek help and discuss their feelings. Dad La Soul tackles this issue head-on by providing a "Trojan Horse" approach to engagement.

Instead of explicitly focusing on mental health, they offer engaging activities that naturally foster open conversations. These include:

● Saturday morning playdates in unconventional locations like museums, sports groups and co-working spaces

● Evening meet-ups for dads to connect and socialise outside the traditional "beer and football" narrative

● Online events and workshops covering diverse topics such as mental health, parenting challenges, and relationships

If I to stand up and say hello middle-aged men come over here and talk about your feelings they're going to go no damn that's an awful idea I don't have any of those but if I say look come over here and do something cool you know with or without the kids maybe make some friends maybe have some laughs they're going to say yes they're getting them.

Creating a Supportive Community and Breaking Down Barriers

Dad La Soul has created a thriving community where fathers feel comfortable discussing their struggles and seeking help. By fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie, they've successfully destigmatized the need for support. The organisation also encourages dads to take an active role in parenting, challenging stereotypes and promoting a more equitable division of childcare responsibilities.

The impact of Dad La Soul's work is evident in the positive feedback from:

● Fathers: who have found a valuable support network and a space to be themselves

● Partners: who appreciate the opportunity for dads to connect and share the parenting load

● Strategic partners: who have witnessed increased engagement and community cohesion

● Children: who enjoy spending quality time with their dads and making new friends

A Vision for the Future

Flanigan envisions expanding Dad La Soul's model through social prescribing networks and frameworks. This would make their impactful approach accessible to a wider audience, contributing to a UK that leads the way in supporting fathers.

Dad La Soul offers a compelling example of how we can reimagine fatherhood and create a more supportive and inclusive society for men and their families.

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