
Hi, I’m Matt, the Dad Matters coordinator for Calderdale.
I’m here to help soon to be and new dads through their dad journey
I have a young daughter and a baby boy. Being a father can be tough and often, the journey to fatherhood isn’t straightforward. I am proud to be part of Dad Matters and to have the opportunity to support dads through their journey. I love music, movies and football, and going on family trips to parks, farms and the cinema.

Antenatal and Parenting events at Family Hubs across Calderdale
We are regularly at events run by the Family Hubs across Calderdale, including getting ready for baby sessions, antenatal classes, baby and toddler groups, breastfeeding groups and other sessions hosted by family hubs and other local organisations.
Hospital and Registry Office Drop in Sessions
Calderdale Royal Hospital &
Spring Hall Registry Office
We are regularly in attendance at Spring Hall Registry Office, the location for birth registration in Calderdale. If you are registering your baby, pop in for a chat about how things are going with a friendly coordinator.
Every Friday between 10am – 12pm you can find one of our coordinators or volunteers in Calderdale Royal Hospital. We are here to give support, advice and a space and time to talk about whatever you need, we are there for dads starting their journey into parenthood or extending their family. We visit the antenatal scan waiting room, the Neonatal unit, the labour ward and Ward 4.
For more information, please get in touch with Matthew.elliott@home-startleeds.co.uk

NEXT WALK DATE
TO BE CONFIRMED
Dad Walk ‘n’ Talks
Walks around Calderdale
On the third Saturday of every month through Summer and Autumn, we host a Walk n Talk event in different locations across Calderdale. This is a great opportunity for dads to meet other dads with similarly aged children in the local area, and to bond and share experiences of fatherhood.
Come Along and Join us
Follow the link to book on.

New Dads Workshop
Join Dad Matters for a FREE online workshop for dads-to-be and new dads with babies under 12 weeks old. During this online video session, we will talk about our three key topics; Attachment and Bonding, Mum’s and Dad’s Mental Health and Wellbeing and Access to Appropriate Services
if you would like to know more go to our NDW page by clicking this button ( link currently under construction)
Calderdale Royal Hospital
- Antenatal Clinic – 01422 224580
- Calderdale Birth Centre – 01422 224417
- Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (under 16 weeks pregnant) – 01422 224415
- Labour ward – 01422 222129
- Maternity Assessment Centre – 01422 224392
- Maternity Reception (Appointments) – 01422 224125
- Ultrasound Scan Department – 01422 224473
- Ward 4C – Antenatal and Induction of Labour – 01422 224925
- Ward 4B – Transitional Care – 01422 222147
- Ward 4A -Post-Natal and Selective C-Section – 01422 224249.

Info for Dads…
Below are links for various organisations, either nationally or local to Calderdale, who could provide support. If you have any questions or would like more specific support, please email matthew.elliott@home-startleeds.co.uk .
Emergency Fire Police NHS 999 *********Samaritans: 116 123 ********* Mental Health Advice & Support line 0800138 0990 ********* Non Emergency – NHS 111 Police 101
click list for drop down services, for links click on the logos
Antenatal Courses and events
In person: https://whatsonmaternity.cht.nhs.uk/
Online : https://www.thrivingkirklees.org.uk/tkparents/ Access code: TKparents
Rainbow Antenatal Clinic – Support to families who have suffered a bereavement in the birth journey, or who have previously experienced bereavement and are now pregnant again. Referrals are made through your midwife.
Asylum Seeking Families
Support to families who have suffered a bereavement in the birth journey, or who have previously experienced bereavement and are now pregnant again. Referrals are made through your midwife. City of Sanctuary UK – We work with people seeking sanctuary and value and recognise the contribution of all. We aspire to ensure people seeking sanctuary are involved in all decision making at all levels and are supported to become leaders in the organisation, networks, and the wider movement.
St Augustine’s Centre, info@staugustinescentrehalifax.org.uk – 01422 352492 “St Augustine’s Centre is an independent charity working with people seeking asylum and refugees in Calderdale.” For advice and support, come along to our advice drop-in on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 9.30 – 11.30am.
Bereavement
Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice – Contact: 01484 411040 Supporting children and families across West Yorkshire By providing outstanding nursing care, hydrotherapy, creative therapy, days out, memory-making, end-of-life care, bereavement support and counselling to families living with or facing the loss of their child, we help them to make the most of every moment together.
Martin House Hospice – We support families across West, North and East Yorkshire. Providing family-led hospice care free of charge for children and young people with life-limiting illnesses.
Rainbow Antenatal Clinic – Support to families who have suffered a bereavement in the birth journey, or who have previously experienced bereavement and are now pregnant again. Referrals are made through your midwife.SANDs – bereavement support, Contact: 01484 411040/ 0808 164 3332 or email helpline@sands.org.uk
We work to save babies’ lives and ensure that, when a baby does die, anyone affected gets the support and care they need. Tommy’s – Contact: 0800 0147 800 or email midwife@tommys.org Baby loss information and support
Sadly, some babies are lost during pregnancy, birth, or shortly afterwards. We have information and support for anyone who has experienced the loss of a baby, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, or termination for medical reasons.
Better Living Services
www.calderdale.gov.uk/betterliving Contact: 01422 230230 or email blt@calderdale.gov.uk?
Crying babies – support and guidance
Cry-Sis – The Cry-sis Helpline – Support for parents with crying and sleepless babies advice and support for crying.
ICON – advice and support for crying. When babies cry it can be stressful and overwhelming. Help is out there and all you need to do is ask.
Dad Groups:
Dads R Us – First Saturday of every month Welcome to #DadsRUs! Our Aim; #DadsRUs is a community of Dads showcasing their Fatherhood journey & the love for their kids.
Dad and Male Carers Group – Second Saturday of each month, 10am to noon. Halifax Fire Station, King Cross. HX1 3JF.For information, call Todmorden Children’s Centre on 01706 399970 or Jubilee Children’s Centre on 01422 434971. Digidad
Created by the young dads of North East Young Dads and Lads, DigiDAD is a unique online peer support community. Packed full of easy to access father friendly films, animations, podcasts, courses and even a chat function, we celebrate young fatherhood without shying away from its challenges.
For young dads – If you’re a young dad, you know a young dad or are simply interested in learning more, join us and register for free on the site. There are opportunities to develop parenting skills, improve your relationship skills, learn first aid skills, focus on your mental health, learn about support services, and get involved. Congratulation’s, your fatherhood journey starts here!Online Mens Group. Our mission is to create community and conversations where guys can share what’s REALLY happening in their lives.
Domestic Abuse
Caring Dads Program – access through Family Intervention Team 01422 394092Calderdale Staying Safe – calderdalestayingsafe.org.uk
Dads Unlimited – The Male Victim Domestic Abuse Service is a bespoke support service for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence, including psychological, physical, sexual, financial, and emotional abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour.
Early Years Support
Calderdale Early Years and Childcare Team – Email: fis@calderdale.gov.uk website – calderdalechildcare.org.uk
HEYS Calderdale – Healthy Early Years Support – email – HEYS@calderdale.gov.uk Healthier Together West Yorkshire – https://www.wyhealthiertogether.nhs.uk/
Calderdale Family Hubs
Feeding
Food Banks – Food Pantrys
BETTER HEALTH HEALTIER FAMIILES – Healthy Eating: Change 4 Life https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/
Mothers and Others Guide web -mothersguide.co.uk
Start 4 life web -nhs.uk/start4life
Weaning – more support available through your health visitor
Financial Support
Mothershare.org.uk 01422 763998 or 07383 440050 info@mothershare.com FB.me/MothershareHX
Our mission is to provide vulnerable children and families in Calderdale with a range of important items that can make the difference between having something and nothing. From buggies to beds, cots to cradles, baby gates to bouncers, toys to t-shirts and much, much more. Zarach – The Children’s Bed Charity – https://zarach.org/ info@zarach.org · 0300 102 0115 Partnering with schools to give Every Head a Bed. – To end child bed poverty in West Yorkshire, giving children the opportunity to engage at school and a chance to break the cycle of poverty.
BENEFITS & SUPPORT https://new.calderdale.gov.uk/benefits
Mental Health:
Andy’s Man Club – every Monday 7pm https://andysmanclub.co.uk/find-your-nearest-group #ITSOKAYTOTALK Any man going through a storm, been through a storm or just wants to come along and meet a good group of people with the aim of improving one another
CAMHS 01422 262380CALM – Campaign Against Living Miserably – 👊 #UnitedAgainstSuicide ☎️ Helpline & webchat open, 0800 58 58 58 , 5pm – midnight daily 365 days a year.
mind.org.uk
sane.org.uk Changing mental health for good. | Need to talk? Call SANEline on 0300 304 7000, open from 4-10pm daily. Visit https://www.sane.org.uk/support
SHOUT – Shout is the UK’s first and only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. Text SHOUT to 85258
We have taken more than two million conversations with people who are sad, worried, lonely or suicidal and who need urgent, in-the-moment supportNHS Talking Therapies – Vita Minds (IAPT – Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) – Accessible talking therapies for mental health in Calderdale, offered by trained NHS professionals. – Support for mental health, perinatal mental health and offer couples’ counselling.
Multiple Birth Groups
Twins Trust Calderdale 0800 138 0509 or email – asktwinline@twinstrust.org
Calderdale Twins and Triplets Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1726267730991002/
Miscarriage, Loss & Trauma
AtaLoss – ataloss.org Helps bereaved people find support and wellbeing. Our vision is that no bereaved person in the UK should be left floundering or alone and unable to find support when they need it.
Tommy’s – the pregnancy and baby charity. Information and support for Dads and non birthing Partners through baby loss. Baby loss support – for dads and partners.
We believe that parents need, and deserve, answers when their babies die. Cruse Bereavement Care – cruse.org.uk We help people through one of the most painful times in life – with bereavement support, information and campaigning.
Baby Loss Awareness – To support bereaved parents and families and to unite with others across the world to commemorate their babies’ lives and lost pregnancies.
Chi
ld Bereavement UK – childbereavementuk.org Child Bereavement UK helps families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. We support children and young people (up to the age of 25) when someone important to them has died or is not expected to live, and parents and the wider family when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying.
Miscarriage for Men – we have a support network of genuine guys who have experienced the exact same thing you are going through right now.
Lullaby Trust The Lullaby Trust raises awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies and offers emotional support for bereaved families
Spoons (NICU peer support) – Neonatal family support, Supporting the whole family from admission to the neonatal unit and beyond
Miscarriage association 01924 200799 Info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk The Miscarriage Association:Pregnancy Loss Information & Support
www.babyloss.com Babyloss.com Support to people who have suffered miscarriage or stillbirth. For women and their partners
The Compassionate Friends: 0345 123 2304 www.tcf.org.uk Support for bereaved families, online discussion forums, information.
Ectopic Pregnancy Foundation: Patient Helpline 0845 070 4636 www.ectopicpregnancy.co.uk Helpline, information, forum.
Ectopic Pregnancy Trust: www.ectopic.org.uk
Post-Natal Illness
Studies show one in ten dads experiences postpartum depression, and 5-15% develop a anxiety disorder such as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder at some point during the pregnancy or the first year postpartum. APP – Action on Post Partum Psychosis The charity for mums and families affected by postpartum psychosis,. It is important to know that you are not alone, and Perinatal Mental Health Disorders are treatable.
Supporting and advocating for mums and families affected by postpartum psychosis (PP) – a severe but treatable mental illness that begins in the days and weeks after giving birth.Association of Postnatal Illness 0207 386 0868 email: info@apni.org
You are not alone, get in touch for some friendly advice, or just to talk through how you’re feeling. PANDAs – Post-Natal Depression https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/ info@pandasfoundation.org.uk – 0808 1961 776 email – Free Helpline is available from 11am-10pm
Pre And PostNatal Depression Advice and Support – We are here to offer hope, empathy and support for every parent or network affected by perinatal mental illness
Relationships
Relationships Matter Calderdale – Helping families and couples (whether together or separated) understand and build healthy relationships.
There are a number of issues that often get overlooked when it comes to mens’ relationship breakdowns and subsequent single-parenting including domestic abuse, access, financial agreements, bullying, anxiety, depression, and loneliness – advice, services and support are tailored towards your situation and your needs.
S.E.N.D. – Children
Bringing Us Together – Bringing Us Together is led by parents of children and young people with a variety of SEN and Disabilities (SEND). Find out more here bringing together parent carers and those working with their families to effect positive change. Informing, inspiring & involving.
Calderdale Learning Disability Service – 01422 300001 – 363561
Calderdale Specialist Inclusion Team- Portage and Early Years Town Hall Crossley Street Halifax HX1 1UJ
Information, Advice and Resources for Parents – 01422 392579 – 394114 SpecialistInclusion@calderdale.gov.uk
Open Minds – 01422 262330 This website provides advice, information, support and signposting on local and national emotional health and wellbeing services that help children, young people and families who are going through a difficult time.
Rainbow Child Development Team, children 0-5 Rosemount Estate, Huddersfield Road, Elland, West Yorkshire HX5 0EE. Contact us on: 01484 355 563
Short Breaks Service HX1 1TS 01422 394087 – 07775 110188
Specialist inclusion team – 01422 394114 or email – specialistinclusion@calderdale.gov.uk
Unique Ways – 01422 343090 – email – hi@uniqueways.org.uk.
We provide a broad range of services for Parent Carers, from training courses, peer support, signposting, discounts on family days out and one to one support (via sleep and form filling practitioners). We don’t restrict our services based on whether your child has a diagnosis or not, and instead work with anyone who feels they need our help.
S.E.N.D. – Parent
Adult learning disability 07795 884879 This service is a community health service for people with learning disabilities who need support to improve health and wellbeing. It includes psychiatry, psychology, specialist learning disability nursing, therapists and an intensive support team with many different skills.
Calderdale.LD.Duty@swyt.nhs.ukLead the Way – 0300 012 0416 or email: info@leadthewaycalderdale.org
We can provide 1:1 information and advice about any matter relating to learning disabilities. We can also signpost you to local and national support services.
Separation and Contact:
We Believe Both Parents Matter… Too many children grow up knowing only one parent. HELPLINE: 0300 0300 363 Support Guidance & Advocacy
DADS Unlimited – Email: support@dadsunltd.org.uk Tel: 01233680150 Mon – Fri 9am -4pm
West Yorkshire Family Mediation Service (WYFMS) – specialising delivering family mediation to help you resolve outstanding issues following your relationship breakdown. We operate across West Yorkshire with mediation suites in Leeds, Bradford, York, delivering both face to face and remote mediation. We are a Legal Aid provider
Single Parent Support
Gingerbread gingerbread.org.uk
Single Parent Support Advice Service -We aim to promote equal and fair treatment among Single Parents and their Children
Sleeping
Basis
This website presents research evidence about biologically normal sleep for human babies. We discuss how infant sleep may vary due to cultural behaviours and expectations such as what babies are fed, where they sleep, and how we interpret their needs. This information is for:
– health practitioners who wish to share evidence-based information with parents about infant sleep.
– parents who wish to make informed choices about infant sleep and night-time care
Sleep Tight course 01422 251090
The Children’s Sleep Charity, A charity set up to support parents and children to get a better night’s sleep. We are specialists in children with additional needs and offer workshops to parents and professionals. We are also developing sleep services across England and Wales to offer one to one support.
Lullaby Trust – The Lullaby Trust provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies
Stop Smoking
Yorkshire Smokefree 0800 612 0011 / 0330 660 1166 www.yorkshiresmokefree.nhs.uk Text YSF to 80800
Substance Use – Support
Branching Out – 01422 415550 (option 2) or email – branchingout@humankindcharity.org.uk If you’re aged between 10 to 21 and live in Calderdale, we can support you to make informed choices about your drug, alcohol and tobacco use.
Calderdale Recovery Steps Basement House, 10 Carlton Street, Halifax HX1 2A We can support you if you would like to reduce or stop your drug or alcohol use in Calderdale. This service is for you if: – you’re worried about either your drug and alcohol use or someone else’s – you or they are age 18 or over and are living in Calderdale
Talking Therapies – NHS
Turning Point Talking Therapies Wakefield and Pontefract 01924 234860 www.turning-point.co.uk/get-support
Kirklees Talking therapies www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk/services/kirklees-talking-therapies/
Calderdale Talking therapies www.calderdale-talkingtherapies.nhs.uk
Leeds Talking therapies www.leedscommunityhealthcare.nhs.uk
Bradford and Airedale Talking therapies www.bdctalkingtherapies.nhs.uk
Young Carers Support
Young Carers Calderdale The Orange Box Young Peoples Centre 1 Blackledge Halifax – 01422 261207 – 07771 765295
- if you cant find what your looking for then this might be the place to go
Early Years Help, Services Directory
Come along to our events…
always a friendly smile and time for a chat

Activity Days -to be confirmed

New Dads Workshop
Dad Matters

Seaside in the city
Calderdale area 00/00/2025

DM Volunteer Training
It could be you
DAD MATTERS YORKSHIRE
2 Kilnsey Road, Wakefield.WF1 4RW
Office 01924 251205
Office Mobile: 07787823441