David injured his back and no longer works; he looks after the children while his wife goes to work. He’s tried the local Parent and Toddler Group but feels out of place. He feels very isolated.

“They try to make you feel welcome but I am very much a man in a woman’s world; at the same time I know it’s good for the children to mix with others”.

David has started to attend the Home-Start Family Group that is held in Wickham Community Centre on Friday mornings. The children love it. They join in the breakfast time and enjoy having a story read to them by one of the volunteers there. The music session at the end is a particular favourite. David has been able to join in some of the ‘taster’ sessions that Peter Symons College have put on for the Group: ‘Basic ICT’ and ‘Step up to Interior Design’ being the favourites. He is now able to do the family’s shopping online and made contact with dads in similar circumstances on the internet.

"The Group is warm, friendly and we are all making lots of new friends, with similar struggles and personal backgrounds."