Why Fathers?

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As God is our father, we believe that a father’s relationship and identity is so important. We live in a world full of broken relationships and we believe in a God who wants to bring restoration to families and communities. “By the age of 15, almost half of all children in the UK are no longer living with both their parents. A million children have no meaningful contact with their fathers.” Centre for Social Justice 2013. According to Dr Samantha Callan, “When you look across the statistics, children who experience family breakdown are more likely to experience all sorts of problems; do less well at school; need more medical treatment; leave school and home earlier and the major cause of youth homelessness is family breakdown.”

Through the project, we have seen fathers engaging more with their own family and community.

Adam is now so much happier at school; he comes into the playground to pick up his boys and will often be seen at the gate with the other dads chatting.

Ambassadors Football has made a real difference to us. Together I see what a great difference you have made to the dads in the school playground and how you have brought together a group of dads from so many different backgrounds and seen them grow and grow and the difference in Adam and his family is amazing.” Report from Primary School. (*Name has been changed)

In a world that is ever developing we have seen that “in the UK 67% of men are either overweight or obese”, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. According to Heart UK some benefits of being active include:

  • Improvement of overall health
  • Reduces stress, anxiety and depression
  • Raises self-esteem and confidence

These benefits are vital and with additional support we have seen fathers boast weight loss, improve their health and become more active.

“Since playing at Fathers Football my health has improved and I have more confidence” Dennis, Fathers Football Player