The Man Matters Project would like to invite you to an event

Celebrating the Father Role*

Thursday 16th June 2011 12.00 – 14.00

Being a father is one of the toughest but most rewarding jobs anyone can have. Every year, on the 3rd Sunday in June, Fathers Day is a time to celebrate that role. The Man Matters project is joining in the celebration of the Father role and at the same time raising awareness of the importance of fathers and how their role can be supported.

The Man Matters project is run by the Men's Health and Learning Partnership. The partnership is made up of five organisations: Home-Start, Parents Advice Centre, Ballynafeigh Community Development Association, Men's Health Forum in Ireland and is led by the Workers' Educational Association. The Partners share a common interest in fathers and run many training courses which extends their skills and knowledge

Diarmuid Moore, from the partnership, said

"The event Celebrating the Father Role will give us a chance to hear from fathers, look at the latest research and explore what support is being offered by the project. It will also be a chance to highlight the father role to the new Assembly and other policy makers."

The keynote address will be given by Professor Charlie Lewis (Department of Psychology, Lancaster University) one of the foremost thinkers and writers on the father role who will outline the findings of latest research on the subject. http://www.psych.lancs.ac.uk/people/CharlieLewis.html

The event will also see the launch of the Fathers and Sons - Staying Connected programme a new package of training and support for those working with fathers. The programme will focus on fathers and sons relationships with particular emphasis on communication and promoting positive mental health.

The course has been developed by Man Matters partner Parents Advice Centre and will run in the autumn.

If you would like to attend the event please book online wea-ni.com/book-online or ring Deborah Harris at the WEA . Deadline for booking is Wednesday 8th June. Please note that is essential to pre book a place as you will need a personal invitation to gain access to Stormont.

*We believe that the father role includes not only biological fathers but others who take on that role in other circumstances including step fathers, older brothers, grandfathers etc