Minutes of Boys and Young Men Network Baby Fathers Meeting 29 ...

Minutes of Boys and Young Men Network
Baby Fathers Meeting
29 th April Chequers Bridge Youth Centre
Present: Luke Bennett, Julie Clifton, Bernie Cox, Ismail Ginwalla, Andy Harris, Paul
Hopkins
Apologies: Maggie Powell, Carole Bowe, Lloyd Williams, Jeremy Voaden
Baby Fathers Gloucestershire – an Arts-based project promoting positive images of
young fathers.
A number of Arts/media options were discussed. Agreed to open project to all Arts/media
familiar to young fathers and to attempt the widest possible exposure of the project
throughout the county in the short time frame available.
Project to launch on 19th May.
It was agreed that a countywide ‘tour’ of the results of the project would have the greatest
impact, with media coverage built in to highlight project. Various sites/scenarios discussed –
static exhibitions, use of empty shop space, Everyman Theatre, GL1, ConneXions Bus, Street
exhibitions….
The projected ‘tour’ would take place from 21 st to 31 st July at a number of geographical
locations around the county making use of the highest profile exhibition space possible. If it
is not possible to do this by the dates mentioned, to explore other dates.
To liase at Regional level re Ed Clarke’s (artist/photographer who originally conceived Baby
Fathers) involvement and Autumn exhibition of work.
Sustainability to be built into project eg to assist in the formation of young fathers groups, use
of work in posters, resources etc to continue to promote positive images of young fathers.
There is a Baby Fathers message board on the Glos Boys and Young Men’s Network website
at www.gbymn.org.uk. The message board is available to all workers in the South West who
are involved in the project to let others know what they are doing. We can all use this board.
To access it enter the site.
Click on the Professionals log in button.
Click on discussion boards.
Enter username - babyfathers
Enter password - swbf
Click on Baby Fathers South West discussion board. A posting board will then come up to
enter messages to be placed on the messageboard.

Action. Paul Hopkins and Bernie Cox to coordinate overall project
Action. Andy Harris and Luke Bennett to liase and coordinate Arts projects. Arts, video,
music resources to be provided by Andy and Luke. 100 disposable cameras required for use
in projects. Andy and Luke to provide costs for Arts projects ASAP. Andy to locate supplier
of inexpensive cameras that can be delivered by 19 th May.
Action. Paul Hopkins and Bernie Cox to liase with Teenage Pregnancy Coordinators ASAP
re projected costs of project. Costs will be for:
• Facilitation and resources (disposable cameras)
• Transport costs from Youth Centres/Dads Groups
• Printing/development costs of Arts media produced
• Use of exhibition space
Action. All workers. Launch of Baby Fathers at Chequers Youth Centre, Gloucester, 20 th
May 19.00 – 21.00. This will be an open evening for young men to provide a ‘taster’ of
project and the Arts/media resources available. Young men to be transported in from
Youth/Community Centres. Arts facilitation by Luke Bennett and Andy Harris.
Action. Paul Hopkins and Bernie Cox to liase re press release for this.
Action. Sure Start Gloucester. Andy Harris to liase with Ismail Ginwalla re filming and
photography session at Sure Start Dads and Kids group. Ismail to explore possibility of rerun
of the ‘making music’ with fathers scheme. Andy to film/record music sessions if this is
possible.
Action. Julie Clifton to explore possibility of using ‘Baby Fathers’ to launch Dads group at
Gardners Lane Family Centre, Cheltenham. To speak to mothers at Centre about how to
involve fathers in project – to look at use of arts/ media. To liase with Andy Harris re this.
Action. Lloyd Williams to be requested to provide response from White City Community
Project Dads Group. Paul Hopkins to liase with Lloyd.
Action Paul Hopkins to liase with Sue Ellis re possibility of involvement of young men in
care.
Addendum
GL1. Meeting on 1 st May with Paul Hopkins, Ismail Ginwalla and Becky Walton from GL1
re ‘Bring Your Dad For Free’ swimming event at GL1 on Fathers Day. Event to include Arts
competition for fathers and children based around Baby Fathers.
Health Visitors. Jane Toomer, Forest Health Visitor interested in project. To take idea to
meeting of Health Visitors on 22 nd May. Possibility of HVs taking letter/flyer to
mothers/fathers about fathers and children participating in project. Further action through
Paul and Bernie.

Stories from within. Carole Bowe working on current ‘Stories from within’ project with
fathers at Gloucester Prison has agreed to explore the possibility of a Baby Fathers project to
run alongside/as part of Stories from within. Paul Hopkins to follow up.
Akoma African and Caribbean Arts Project. Paul Hopkins to approach re possible
involvement in project
Media, Communication & Information Network. Paul Hopkins to discuss with Jeremy
Voaden possible inclusion of day hospitals/centres with arts / photographic groups running.
Neighbourhood Projects. Paul Hopkins to discuss possibility of involvement of
Neighbourhood Projects with Liz Scrivens
Dates of further meetings:
12 th May Paul and Bernie to meet 12.30 –13.30 at Chequers Bridge re costs/logistics
16 th May Paul, Ismail & Becky Walton to meet 9.30 at GL1 re Fathers Day event
19 th May Open evening/launch 19.00 – 21.00 at Chequers Bridge Centre
4 th June Regional Meeting 12.30 at Octobus Community Arts Project, Cricklade Road,
Swindon (Penhill Youth And Community Centre)
Contact details:
Paul Hopkins 01452 429343 email paul.hopkins@cotsvalepct.nhs.uk
Bernie Cox 01285 650067 email berniecox@cotswoldyouth.freeserve.co.uk
Ismail Ginwalla 01452 544043 email iginwalla@gloscc.gov.uk
Julie Clifton 01242 252185 email jclifton@gardnerslane.gloucs.sch.uk
Andy Harris 01531 670949 email impactinc@ukonline.co.uk
Luke Bennett 01452 426376 / 521904 email luke.bennett@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Lloyd Williams 07952 505195 email lloydwilliamz@hotmail.com
Carole Bowe 01452 529551 ext 331 email carole.bowe@gloucestershire.gov.uk
PLEASE CONTACT PAUL OR BERNIE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION