This September sees the first monthly Leeds Dads meet-up event in the group’s new home, The Holbeck.
Leeds Dads creates opportunities for dads of pre-school children in Leeds to spend time with their kids. The group has been running a popular monthly meet-up for dads and their children at The Tetley for the past few years. Around 30 dads and grandads meet to enjoy arts craft, games, a singalong and storytime.
The group will move into their new headquarters at The Holbeck from September.
Leeds Dads founder Errol Murray says:
“We’re very excited about moving to The Holbeck. It will give us access to a much larger event space so we can continue to grow and welcome new members. We are looking forward to our current dads joining us at The Holbeck, as well as meeting other dads who live locally too.”
Errol started Leeds dads in 2011 as a way of spending more time with his daughter.
“Dads are still a bit of a rarity at playgroups, so I felt slightly awkward and out of place there. So I started Leeds Dads with a handful of friends and their kids in Leeds City Museum Cafe.”
Leeds Dads has recently been shortlisted for the Community Organisation Award for Gender at the National Diversity Awards. The awards highlighted Leeds Dads for bringing together a diverse community of fathers for social interaction and support.
Earlier this year, their flagship event Dadstastic Day attracted over 2,000 dads, mums, carers and kids, making it the biggest free Father’s Day party in England.
Leeds Dads meet on the third Sunday of the month. The next event will take place on Sunday 15 September, from 2-4pm at The Holbeck on Jenkinson Lawn, LS11 9QX.
Hi Errol welcome to your new home at the Holbeck .it will be nice to see you all we have a great room upstairs which will just do for you to let the kids and Dads enjoy them selves .Over the years Holbeck has always been a Family Club and it will be nice to have some young blood around again .Our duty managers will be around MATT &JAMES if you need any help.Im always in Sunday Lunchtime it will be good to meet you Kind Regards Terry Nichols President
It really is a great space. I had my daughter’s first birthday party upstairs there recently and we had space for a bouncy castle, soft play area, food and drinks and plenty of tables and seating. The team at The Holbeck and the Slung Low crew could not have been more helpful and accommodating.
Thanks Terry, Thanks Helen!
The Holbeck is a marvellous place, and totally connected to the community – which is mainly why we want to be with you!
Leeds Dads looks forward to having scores and dads and kids enjoying spending time together at our MeetUps.
Best regards
Errol Murray