UWTSD inspires Dads in Building Blocks Challenge

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Widening Access team has been helping to inspire dads by providing a platform for shared creativity and problem solving with their children.

The team have been working closely with adults in the community of Sandfields, Port Talbot, with many individuals completing a number of stepping stone courses that feed into the University’s portfolio such as Criminology and Early Years.

A number of courses have been completed by parents at Awel y Môr School, and the University was approached by the Well-being Officer at the School, Vicky Hibben to arrange a workshop with some of the dads at the School, this has resulted in the hands on, interactive, building blocks challenge session with children at the school.

Due to high demand multiple sessions are being held at the School. A visit for all the dads involved will be arranged in the Spring so they can take part in a series of interactive workshops on our Swansea Campuses.

Donna Williams, Widening Access officer said “It was great to be approached and asked to provide a session as I found that the courses that we have run at the school during the last year have been predominately females.

“I was looking for an activity that would engage more men and found that the building blocks workshops were perfect. It has many benefits for everyone such as cognitive skill improvement, builds confidence and excellent for stress-busting! It has been refreshing to see them engaging with their children in the sessions and of course seeing their competitiveness come out. We have already discussed more sessions following on from this and many of the dads are keen to attend our Swansea campus for a day of exploring what we have on offer and take part in a series of activities that will be provided.”

Vicky Hibben, Well-being Officer at Awel y Môr School said “When we started parent engagement four years ago it was mainly mothers, but we have been doing some activities recently to try and engage with more of the dads at the school. Working with the University has hugely benefited the parents at the school, once the initial barrier has been broken down they are keen to engage.

“The parents have been able to access a number of courses and they keep asking ‘what is next?’ We wanted to provide the dads with an opportunity to engage with the University with something hands on and the sessions have been a huge success.”

Simon James, one of the dads that attended the challenge session said: “We really enjoyed the session with the University, and I particularly enjoyed being competitive with other fathers. It was nice to meet some other dads at the school and do an activity with my little boy. I would definitely come again.”

Further Information

Rebecca Davies

Executive Press and Media Relations Officer    
Corporate Communications and PR    
Email: rebecca.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk    
Phone: 07384 467071