Dad grows support group with more Sunday strolls

A man who set up a club for fathers to share the highs and lows of parenting said being a member made him a "much better dad".

Matt Krishnan-Bird originally started the Good Dads Club inColchester to create a support network, but it has now grown to 400 members and has held its first Sunday Stroll Club in Chelmsford.

"I've gone through some struggles as a parent, and it's been really cathartic - I've been able to share that and offload and open up to dads in the group," he said.

"We're not relying on AI or Google."

Krishnan-Bird said he wanted to make friends and build a support network as there were "so many good mum groups, but I couldn't find anything for dads".

"I think men, notoriously, are not good at talking and opening up to people, but I think by creating a safe space and an environment where people feel they can trust other dads, it's a really good chance to address mental health problems and really help people get to a better place mentally," he explained.

"There's lots of dad hacks in the group, some amazing tips on weaning, sleep schedules, separation, sleep deprivation, and helping to become a better partner."

Krishnan-Bird said he felt "every dad should have access to a community", and with the group's organised strolls and events giving fathers a chance to meet one another, members had then been arranging dinner clubs, runs and regular walks.

He plans to grow the club to other parts of Essex and into Suffolk.

Dad of three Philip Carew said the club had provided a good chance to mingle and make some new friends.

"It's also good for mental health; I look forward to more future events because it gives mums a break and [there are] other children to interact with," he said.

Calling it a "safe space", he continued: "It's helped me, mental health-wise: you get out, fresh air, walk, it's good for you.

"You can vent; you can speak to other men as well. If you want to discuss something openly, there's no judgement."

He added that being "face-to-face" means you are not behind a phone or a text message.

"It's good to put the face to the name," said Carew.

Parent Luke Johnson said: "I had a bit of a tough time in the hospital with the baby - there was no real support network - so for Matt to have set this up and for so many to turn out, it's fantastic.

"I've even met one of the dads I've not seen for 17 years, so you're getting to connect with other dads and just have a chat."

He said just knowing other fathers were having the "same struggles - going through the same thing" was helping him.

Stuart Henderson, from the Colchester Good Dads Club, said it "means everything" to him.

"It's given me a voice to talk to dads when I'm frustrated about things," he explained.

"I just have so much fun. It's brilliant, absolutely brilliant, I can't fault it at all.

"I've just recently done Beers and Braids, where I've learned to do my daughter's hair."

He said it was a good way to give his partner a "break, because she works so hard".

"If you're a dad looking to meet new dads and you want to get out and talk about things and how you feel, join Good Dads Club," he advised.

"It's the best; it's done me wonders, so just join them."

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