Case Study: Real Men Read
The Beeches Children's Centre, Warrington
Quick links:
- Introduction
- What were the reasons for setting up these sessions?
- What was successful in terms of encouraging dads to attend the sessions?
- Are the dads who attend regular library users?
- What do you do in the sessions?
- What are the positive outcomes of the sessions?
- Does the involvement of a male worker have any impact on dads attending?
- What are the key ingredients of success for your group?
Introduction
Christine Everrett is employed in a job share capacity as Children's Librarian with Warrington local authority and is also the Bookstart coordinator.
What were the reasons for setting up these sessions?
The work carried out with dads is linked to the business plans of the library and the Children's Centres.
When the Warrington Library Service became involved with the BBC RAW campaign, the Real Men Read and the Vital Link project, funding was provided for the promotion of 5 minute dads. This initiative promotes the idea that it only takes 5 minutes to share a story, but these 5 minutes can make a world of difference to both parent and child. This link provided an impetus for the work and a book promotion was held at the Children's Centre and at the local library, with the agreement that the children's centre would get the promotion free of charge if the library subscribed. The Library Service has a service level agreement to deliver library services in the children's centres and as a result the extra funding allowed a pilot project to be set up at the Beeches Children's Centre. The group proved so popular with the attendees that it was decided to continue when the pilot period came to an end.
This work built on an existing relationship with the Warrington Wolves Rugby League Football Club (the Wolves). Rugby League is very popular with local families and the Wolves have won awards for their strong record in becoming involved with community activities. The aim was to attract dads based on the Premier League Reading Scheme where each team have a player who becomes a reading champion. The Wolves had previously been involved in events at the library aimed at attracting 'Dads and Lads'. These sessions had been successful with Wolves players attending and becoming involved in leading parts of the sessions. The 'Dads and Lads' were also taken on a visit to the club and given free tickets to attend a match. This was a short term group and whilst the library would love to be able to offer regular sessions there are just not enough staff or budget available to sustain to sustain long term work with dads in the library.
What was successful in terms of encouraging dads to attend the sessions?
The involvement of the Wolves has been a big attraction to dads and children both in terms of encouraging them to attend sessions and promoting dads reading with their children at home. There are huge 'Real Men Read' posters at the ground which advertise sessions at the library and there are also similar adverts in the match programmes. Posters are also displayed in the town, for example, in the markets and the library advertises events through their own publicity and with the support of partners. However the single most effective means of attracting dads has been through word of mouth and personal contact with someone involved in the sessions, or through the mums that attend the centre. There are forthcoming plans to film a session and place it on the Reading Agency website.
The sessions at the Beeches Children's Centre are called real Men Read – Dads and Tots Reading Sessions in the Isle of Books. These are aimed at local dads who have been reticent in becoming involved with the services offered by the children's centre. The Isle of Books is a library in the children's centre and the sessions were aimed at encouraging dads to recognise the important and pleasurable role they could have in promoting a love of stories and rhymes with their children, and to encourage them to borrow books form the centre to read at home.
The sessions run from 11.15 – 11.45 am on a weekday and are followed by lunch for the attendees. The dads who attend are unemployed and the provision of lunch has proved very popular as it provides a relaxed time to chat to the visiting celebrities.
However, the dads continue to attend because they enjoy the sessions. They enjoy the spending time on their own with their children and have also built up camaraderie as a group and look forward to meeting each other.
Are the dads who attend regular library users?
The primary purpose of the group is to encourage dads into the children's centre, to encourage them to become more involved with their children's care and learning and to include them in the services of the centre. The staff also encourage the families to use the public library. One attempt to invite the dads to the local public library was unsuccessful and it was agreed that at this stage it was a step too far and that it is important to take things really slowly and not try to force them into something they are not ready for.
What do you do in the sessions?
Celebrities are invited to the group each month. These have included contacts from the rugby club who have been very supportive, a fireman, a policeman and Mr Universe. The celebrities usually choose a book they like and are familiar with and a song or rhyme is added. The celebrities are invariably very enthusiastic and talk about reading to their own children at home. Some are more confident than others in leading the sessions but plan this in advance with the library and centre staff. Family learning tutors attend the sessions and model ways of using books and rhymes with the dads and gradually the dads become more confident at engaging with the sessions and need no help. It is hoped that the involvement of the family learning tutors will lead to family learning courses being developed.
What are the positive outcomes of the sessions?
As previously mentioned the dads have formed a cohesive group and enjoy the camaraderie with other men. They also enjoy the special time they spend on their own with their children and the bond that they develop through attending the group together. The dads gradually overcome any awkwardness they feel valuing the support of staff and the confirmation that they are ‘doing it right' and this in turn helps them to relax and have fun. The sessions help the dads realise that it is not just the reading that is important but the process of enjoying books together. One dad was keen to try running a session and was supported to do this which is one of the great successes and achievements of the group.
Does the involvement of a male worker have any impact on dads attending?
Although no male staff involved with the group the visiting celebrities are always men are the main focus of the group, usually taking a very proactive role.
Partnership Working
There is close partnership working with Family Learning who are members of the Bookstart Steering group. Family Learning was involved in funding early sessions and the Wolves involvement in promoting reading with dads and their children. They are a big presence in the children's centre and use the sessions to get to know the dads and let them know what courses are on offer. Joint courses have been delivered on computer use, story telling and local history. A lottery bid is currently being prepared and if this is success this work will be expanded.
There are also close partnerships with Sure Start and health who share a key role in promoting the enjoyment of books, stories and rhymes with children
What are the key ingredients of success for your group?
- The approach of staff to the dads is a key factor. It is important to move at the pace of the group and not put the participants under pressure. Building a relaxed and accepting atmosphere allows the men to relax and lose any awkwardness they may have about engaging with the activities,
- Clearly the celebrities are a ‘hook' to get the men to come initially but they also like the fact that they can relax with the other dads and the children and that there is no pressure on them,
- The dads are unemployed and enjoy the social contact and group support they receive from other men in similar situations,
- The men enjoy the bond that is generated with their children and learn to have fun with them. They also benefit from the value that is placed on the importance of their role in supporting their children's development and progress,
- The provision of lunch has been an important feature of the group as the men stay on and chat to the visiting celebrities, to each other and to staff in an informal way. This has broken down barriers to the men attending the centre and provides opportunities to build their involvement in the life of the centre,
- Maintaining a positive approach even when things don't work as planned and being prepared to adapt and try new and different ways to include men.