Overview
Dad La Soul is reshaping the narrative of fatherhood with its unique Trojan Horse approach. By providing dads with a kick-ass social life and a ready-made, expert, peer-led support network, they create a space for fathers to talk about what they usually ignore. Many dads feel isolated and overwhelmed, struggling with the pressures of parenthood and modern life. Through their sessions, Dad La Soul helps fathers reconnect, find support, and strengthen their roles.
Traditional parent groups often cater primarily to mothers, leaving fathers without spaces where they feel comfortable sharing their experiences. Many fathers face deep isolation, struggling to find the social support they need. This isolation can contribute to mental health challenges, affecting not only fathers but also their children and families.
Dad La Soul creates safe, engaging environments where fathers can build meaningful connections. Their “Trojan Horse” approach introduces dads to peer support through fun, inclusive activities – whether it’s a playdate with their children, a social meetup, or a creative project like a podcast or documentary. While the focus is on enjoyment and participation, these events also provide essential mental health and social support.
The founder of Dad La Soul grew up watching his father struggle to raise four children alone. When he became a dad himself, he realised that not much had changed – fathers were still isolated and struggling in silence. In response, he founded Dad La Soul in 2017.
They are now the leading organisation of their kind in the UK, and despite being staffed by a small team of volunteers, are having an impact on fathers globally. They advocate for policy changes such as improved paternity leave and better recognition of fathers’ mental health needs, and host a podcast.
Membership has surged by 40% in the last two years, highlighting the growing demand for support and the significant impact of Dad La Soul’s work. With support from the John Good Group, they will be able to continue their sessions, addressing loneliness, supporting mental health, and reducing male suicide among dads and male caregivers. They will sustain their event model, which facilitates 10 Dads Only evening sessions and 10 Dads and Kids playdates over 12 months, engaging 800 dads and their children.
We are humbled that you trust us to spend your money wisely and thank you for believing in what we are trying to achieve. Sometimes it is the smallest things that mean the most – the care packs, whilst such a small thing, can be just what a young person needs to help them find meaning and help them to start valuing their lives. From the bottom of our hearts: thank you
Joanna Garvey
