North East Young Dads & Lads

18/06/2026

NEYDL & DigiDAD AGM

On 7th July, we’ll be holding our Annual General Meeting, taking a look back at the past year and reflecting on the impact, challenges and achievements across NEYDL and DigiDAD.

From supporting young dads and families, to expanding our reach, developing new projects and creating opportunities for connection and growth, it’s been another busy year with plenty to celebrate.

If you’d like to learn more about the work we’ve been doing, we encourage you to take a look at our latest Annual Report

https://www.neydl.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/NEYDL-Annual-Report-2025_Final.pdf

and our 2025 Highlight Film

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx1484wSGEA

If you have an interest in attending, please contact [email protected] for further information.

14/05/2026

On 17th May, Adam will be running the Sunderland 3K to raise money for NEYDL ❤️

Adam is an ex-service beneficiary who first joined the project as a university student training to become a youth worker. He later worked with NEYDL part-time and then full-time, before moving into employment support during COVID. Over the years, he’s always stayed connected to the young lads and dads involved in the project.

Now a dad himself, Adam wanted to take on this challenge for both himself and other young dads in our community.

Here are some words from Adam about why he’s doing this:

“Since becoming a young dad myself at 23, life has been a rollercoaster of health and mental health. After changing industry, becoming a bus driver, hitting the gym and reconnecting with old friends, I’ve bounced back and I’m now focusing on making the most of being a dad to my young children.

Especially making sure I can keep up with them, as they are both outdoorsy and I wouldn’t want to disappoint them because of my health.

The 3K run is both a reminder to myself that I’m still able to start new things, try them and achieve something I never thought I could.

By raising money for the project, I also hope to help other young lads and dads become the best version of themselves for both themselves and others.”

We’re so proud of you Adam ❤️

If you’d like to support Adam and donate to NEYDL, you can do so via this link…

https://shorturl.at/DvSYm

16/04/2026

Hear from our Founder Kev about NEYDL & DigiDAD and why coming together as community is one of the most powerful things we can do to support young dads and families. 🙌🏼

Looking forward to our DigiDAD gaming event tonight!

We’d love to know how NEYDL & DigiDAD have had an impact on your life! 💚

07/04/2026

We’re absolutely delighted to share that NEYDL has been selected as one of the 10 recipients of the Top 40 Community Voices radio advertising campaign 🎙️

A massive thank you to and for choosing to spotlight the work we do with young dads across the North East 💛

This 12-week campaign is an incredible opportunity to amplify the voices, stories and experiences of the young fathers we support every day - voices that deserve to be heard, valued and celebrated.

Everything we do is rooted in community, and it means the world to have that recognised in this way.
We’re so excited for what’s to come… keep your ears open 👀🎧

07/04/2026

We are officially one of the recipients for the Top 40 Community Voices radio campaign!

We’re over the moon about this. Thanks so much to OUT North East, Pride Radio North East, Metrocentre 🙌🏼

We are delighted to announce the first ten recipients of the Top 40 Community Voices campaign with Metrocentre and Pride Radio:

Drum roll....

Pride Action North
North East Young Dads & Lads
Darkus
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Su***de
Cobalt Studios CIC
Bensham Grove Community Centre
The Drop In
Northumberland and Newcastle Society
Big Gay Fund
Geordie Grand Slammers

Each group receives £2500 of free airtime on Pride Radio.

If you applied, don't worry, we still have a further three rounds to announce over the coming months.

And if you'd like to find out more or apply, check out: https://prideradio.co.uk/news-and-competitions/metrocentre-turns-40-and-were-celebrating-you/

26/03/2026

Still buzzing from last week 🤯

We had the absolute pleasure of welcoming the team from The National Lottery Community Fund to NEYDL HQ at and getting to properly show them what happens inside this community every day 💛

From rooftop beekeeping with Birds, Bees, Bikes & Trees 🐝
to connection and support through DigiDAD 🎮
to real-life progression through Dad2Dad - where young dads are now stepping into employment, mentoring others, and even preparing for degrees in social work…

this wasn’t just a visit
it was a moment to witness the impact these opportunities are creating

And then… a HUGE announcement 👏

4-year funding for a brand new initiative focused on embedding father-inclusive practice within Children’s Social Care - while supporting young dads to step into roles as DADvocates

That’s real change
that’s long-term impact
that’s young dads not just being supported… but shaping the future of support itself

We’re so proud of this community and everything it stands for 💛

Thank you to The National Lottery Community Fund for continuing to believe in, invest in, and champion young dads across the North East

18/03/2026

We’re so proud to share that North East Young Dads and Lads has been named as one of the Big Issue’s 100 Environmental Changemakers in 🙌🏼✨

This recognition, chosen by readers, celebrates the positive impact organisations are making in their communities, and it means so much to see the work of our young dads and the wider NEYDL community recognised in this way.

From beekeeping on the BALTIC rooftop 🐝 to bike rides across the region 🚲, climate clubs, creative workshops and even an 85-mile cycle from the source of the Tyne to the coast… our Birds, Bees, Bikes & Trees project is all about connection - to nature, to each other, and to the future we’re creating for our children.

At the heart of it all is a simple but powerful mission: supporting young dads to play an active, meaningful role in their children’s lives, while also thinking about the world we’re leaving behind for them.

A huge thank you to our funders, partners and everyone who continues to support this work - including BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and Newcastle University 💛

And most importantly, to the young dads themselves. This recognition belongs to you.

Read the full article here… https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/north-east-groups-named-big-33438670

15/03/2026

Happy Mother’s Day 💐

Today we’re celebrating the incredible mums and mother figures who show up every day with love, strength, patience and care. The women who nurture, support, guide and hold so much for the people around them.

At the same time, we know Mother’s Day can bring a mix of emotions for many families.

Some young dads in our community will be celebrating the mothers of their children.

Some will be thanking their own mums or the women who helped raise them.

Some may be navigating co-parenting, distance, grief, complicated relationships, or memories of mums who are no longer here.

However today looks for you, your feelings are valid.

Family life isn’t always simple, and the journeys that bring people to parenthood and family can be very different. What we see time and time again in our community is that children can be supported by many mum figures - mums, step-mums, grandmas, aunties, foster carers and other important women who step in with love.

So today we’re sending appreciation to all the women who help shape families across our communities in the North East.

And to our brilliant team members and friends of NEYDL & DigiDAD who are wonderful mums.

Your care, guidance and strength matters more than you probably realise. 💛

03/03/2026

Oh February?
Let us catch you up 🙌🏼

From Durham drop-ins to a Gateshead conference presentation, from Stay & Play in Sunderland to sitting round tables with Together for Children making sure dads’ voices are shaping Family Hubs properly.

We’ve been:

📍 Playing pool
📍 In Durham for Stay & Play
📍 Supporting through DigiDAD
📍 Meeting the Sudanese men’s group in Gateshead
📍 Climbing walls
📍 On the jiu jitsu mats
📍 Cycling a 20-mile loop up to Royal Quays Marina
📍 Hosting family days in Northumberland
📍 Running Middlesbrough drop-ins
📍 Doing outdoor sessions
📍 Go-karting
📍 Having a million proper, honest chats
📍 Offering real, consistent support

And that’s just one month.

This is what our world looks like.
This is what father-inclusive support looks like.
This is what happens when you actually show up for young dads.

It’s activities, yes.
But it’s also confidence building.
Connection.
Community.
Prevention.
Belonging.

Every drop-in, every conversation, every shared laugh matters.

We’re so proud of the young dads we work with – and so grateful to everyone who supports what we do across the North East.

March, we’re ready for you. 💪

26/02/2026

We’re FINALISTS for Youth Project of the Year at the Inspiration Youth Awards!!! ✨

This award celebrates projects that are genuinely changing lives – supporting young people, building leadership, confidence and community, and creating real, lasting impact. To have our work with young dads recognised like this means the world, because we see every day how powerful the right support at the right time can be.

If NEYDL has ever inspired you, helped you, or you just believe young dads deserve better support and opportunities – we would be so grateful for your vote.

Every vote helps shine a bigger light on young fathers in the North East and the importance of community-led support.

🗳️ Vote for North East Young Dads & Lads – for Youth Project of the Year
👉 Click here to vote! https://inspirationalyouthawards.co.uk/vote-now/

Thank you for backing this work, backing these lads, and backing a future where young dads are seen, supported and celebrated.