Developing material through workshops with Dads
To research material for the 'Those YoungMinds' project, YoungMinds is holding workshops with groups of fathers to gain their thoughts and feelings about mental health issues and their role as a father.
We aim to draw out anecdotes and observations that can be used to raise awareness via the show through discussions and, if the events prove a success, the project will be developed into a national programme that will help spread the message to fathers from around the country.
Through our work, YoungMinds will get the opinions of many fathers from a variety of situations and backgrounds and incorporate those different experiences into the show. We hope to speak to over 100 dads from various cultures, communities, age groups and family circumstances.
The process will involve working alongside local Child and Adolescent mental health services, fathers groups, voluntary organisations, businesses and sports clubs in order to speak to the necessary range of dads.
The workshops themselves will provide benefits to fathers who attend. Whilst having the opportunity to interact and have fun with a stand up comedian, dads will also gain the opportunity to talk about their experiences in a sensitive and confidential environment. Participants also benefit from free YoungMinds resources to support them in their role, and a free ticket to a premiere show.
The first showing of ‘Those YoungMinds’ will be at the Phoenix theatre, Leicester on Wednesday February 13th. This will be followed shortly after by a London show on Tuesday 10th and 17th June at 8pm in the Soho Theatre (21 Dean Street, London W1). See the Soho theatre website for more details and to book your place!
