– many different kinds of fathers needed!

· African Caribbean men and women (for TV documentary)
· Young fathers, young mothers & midwives (for research project)
· Professionals working with young dads (research project)
· Men who have used psychological (counseling) services (research project)
· Men about to have their second child (research project)

BBC4 (TV): African Caribbean men and women

Testimony Films have already interviewed a number of fantastic dads who contacted them after our last e-shot to you about these TV documentaries. Now Testimony are looking for two final interviewees:
• African Caribbean men and women born mid-late 1940s and raised in the UK, who as teenagers rebelled against their (African Caribbean) father and his traditional views. What were the consequences? What was your relationship like with your father then – and what are your thoughts now?
• Black men who came to Britain in the late 1940s/50s and married white women. What were yours and your wife’s parents’ views on your marriage? Did they disapprove? If so how did you win them over? And what was it like being a father to mixed-heritage children in the 1950s?

Expenses plus participation fee (£100) are paid. Contact: Pete Vance or Lizi Cosslett or both on 0117 925 8589. Or write to Testimony Films, 12 Great George Street, Bristol BS1 5RH.

Brook/Royal College of Midwives:

The limited literature suggests that young fathers are often excluded from ante-natal and post-natal care by the professionals involved. Brook (in partnership with the Royal College of Midwives) is conducting a research project to identify what really goes on between midwives and young fathers, in order to inform the production of new training materials and information sheets. The researchers are looking to interview the following:

• Young men (21 years and under) who have become fathers in the last year
• Young couples who have become parents in the last year (young fathers 21 years and under);
• Specialist midwives who work only with young parents
• Generic midwives who see young parents as part of their daily work

All interviews (by phone or in person) will last about an hour and will be recorded. Complete confidentiality is guaranteed, with the usual exceptions of information that raises concerns about safety. To register interest in taking part, please contact Trefor Lloyd, tel: 0207 732 9409 / 0778 878 1759.

University of London: Professionals working with young dads

The Thomas Coram Research Unit, Institute of Education, University of London wants to find out about what fatherhood means to young men, what factors help and hinder their involvement in bringing up their children, and how services might better support them. Three study sites across England will be chosen in liaison with practitioners who have provided services to young fathers (and fathers to be), to identify 54 young men in total. The researchers want to interview the young men, a ‘significant other’ (who has supported them in their fathering role) nominated by each young man; and key professionals. (Confidential) interviews will last about an hour.

If you think your site could be one of the three chosen, contact Elaine Chase or Ian Warwick at the Thomas Coram Research Unit.

City University (London): Men who have used psychological (counselling) services

A chartered psychologist/PhD student is exploring men’s experiences of therapeutic psychological interventions within the NHS, the voluntary sector and private practice (including business and sports coaching) in order to better understand how future services may be adapted to meet men’s needs. The first phase of the project requires male participants (aged 18+) to take part in individual 40 minute confidential face to face interviews. For ethical reasons, the participants need to be recruited through a healthcare professional, who would have to be willing to refer them. Formal request and information letters are available. Contact Andrew White.

University of Surrey: Men about to have their second child

A psychology student is carrying out a study into identity change in fathers after having their second child. She is looking for fathers whose partners will be around 4/5 months pregnant with their second child in March 2010. Fathers must be co-habiting with their partner in the UK with a gap of less than 5 years between their two children. You would need to be available for two telephone conversations, one in March/April and the second in October/November 2010. Contact Jessica on: 0785 441 1781/0148 352 7777 or by either of her two email addresses: jl00068@surrey.ac.uk or jessica@maternityunlimited.co.uk.