A voluntary organisation which aims to reduce isolation among dads in Leeds has achieved a major ambition and set up its first free nursery-based breakfast club.
Leeds Dads has worked in partnership with Chapeltown Community Nursery, on Reginald Street, to set up a new session there for dads and pre-school children every third Saturday, 10am to noon. 
It is the latest session to be added to the organisation’s regular run of events which support dads across the city to engage with their children aged up to seven.
Errol Murray, founder of Leeds Dads, said: “We’ve been talking about the pre-school nursery session for years so it’s good to get it off the ground.
“It directly aligns itself with dads’ mental health, supporting them to play with their children and meet other people. Especially if dads are with their children all day, without any other adults – it gives them the opportunity to meet others.”
Errol said mums are generally better at building networks so these events aim to give dads a helping hand to do the same.
“Dads are less agile at building parenting networks than mums, so to have somewhere that they feel safe and comfortable and able to play, gives dads an opportunity to see their children develop, to share tips and ideas and build networks so they feel less isolated.
“It’s when dads are isolated that serious mental health issues can arise.”
The nursery sessions will feature free breakfast, toys, games, messy play and a quiet corner. There is also a climbing frame, scooters and plenty of outdoor space to use in the warmer months.
The next session will be on Saturday Febraury 25th. To book a free place visit www.leedsdads.org/events.