Rock September with us!

Many of us are back to a more normal routine with older kids back at school and term time activities back up and running 😅 as ever, here at Dads Rock we’ve a whole host of activities and opportunities for families to take part, learn and connect. Groups, workshops and a trip to the opening of the new Palm house at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh are all on the cards.

We’re delighted that Dads Rock has been selected to take part in the Tesco Fruit & Veg Grants customer vote! If you’re shopping at Tesco Saltcoats Superstore or Kilwinning Express, please use your blue token to vote for Dads Rock. Every vote could help us make an even bigger difference for local families.

Fancy taking on a personal challenge? We’ve a few places left for the Stadium Soar at Barclays Hampden on Sunday 28th February 2027 - fly 15.85m (52ft) above the pitch on a 150m (492ft) zip wire! Email us if you’d like a spot!

There’s lots of activities coming up so take a look below – we can't wait to see you at one of our events!🌻✨

**Peer Support volunteers on a night out with Rachel, our Dads Worker who co-ordinates the PS project.**

Groups

If you are wanting to spend some quality time with your wee one(s) and chat with some other local dads, our groups are the place for you.

Most groups run every week but it’s always worth checking the calendar to make sure it’s on.

North Ayrshire: In Irvine we have weekly groups for Dads and their children on Sundays at 10.30am and the Three Towns Dads Group is on Wednesdays at 6.30pm🚴

Glasgow: In Maryhill we have a playgroup on every Saturday at 10am🐝

Edinburgh: In Gorgie we run playgroups every Saturday and Sunday at 10am. On Tuesday evening at 7pm is our Dads and Dice group - a games night for Dads with or without their babies🌻

Dundee: Saturdays the Boomerang Centre 10am🥁

East Ayrshire: Join us in the Baby Sensory Room, My5s Football, Kilmarnock. Monday’s from 6pm🫧

You can sign up to come along to any of our groups: GroupSignUp and check the calendar to see it’s on: WhatsOn

Don’t forget our WhatsApp groups! If you’re not part of our community you can join here: WhatsApp

Trips

Edinburgh - We’ve a limited number of tickets for the Palm Housewarming at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. This is a ticket only event so make sure you sign up if you’d like to come along! Sign up: Botanics

Edinburgh - Join the KiltWalk with us in Edinburgh on September 13th and help make a difference for dads across the country. With different route options available, there’s something for everyone- including shorter, accessible distances for families. We’d love to have you on Team Dads Rock! Dads Rock - Kiltwalk 2026 - Register your interest 🚶‍♂️🏅

Can’t take part? Sponsor our team! Mark, one of our trustees is doing the Mighty Stride. Sponsor him here: Justgiving

Glasgow - Saturday 19th September - Visit the Scottish Mask and Puppet centre with us! See the displays and watch a puppet show - and connect with other Dads Rock families. Sign up here: Puppets

Save the date: In October we’ll be having some Halloween fun at our groups and activities so be sure to join us 👻🎃

Wo rkshops

We run free workshops regularly in our different locations across Scotland. There are a range of topics that we cover and this month we will be running:

Hairstyle Workshop - On 3rd September in Glasgow - Come and learn how to look after your child’s hair. Master putting up ponytails and have a go at doing plaits. Sign up: GlasgowHair

Dads Antenatal - Join us on Wednesday 16th September 7pm in Dundee, Thursday 17th September 7pm at Gorgie Mem, Edinburgh and Thursday 24th September 6.30pm in Irvine for our free Dads Antenatal Workshop (sign up via the links). These relaxed, dads-only session offer practical advice and hands-on experience, including changing nappies and bathing a baby, while giving you the chance to meet other expectant dads and build confidence ahead of your little one's arrival👶💙

First Aid - Our popular First Aid workshops especially for parents of young children are back this month with 3 workshops available. Tuesday 8th September 7pm in Glasgow, Tuesday 15th September at 7pm in Edinburgh and Tuesday 22nd September at 6.30pm in Irvine. Spaces are limited so please sign up via the links.

Our workshops are free to attend but donations are always welcome! They are a great way to build confidence while spending quality time together.

You can find out more about all our workshops using the link here: Parenting Workshops

Other support

As always we’ll be providing one to one support in Edinburgh, Ayrshire, Tayside and Glasgow, as well as peer support for New Dads through our PS service

Our amazing North Ayrshire Dads held a Golf Day for us in August! Huge thanks to the whole team and congratulations on raising nearly £1000!

August Round-up

August was a blast with trips for dads and kids in Dundee, Ayrshire, Edinburgh and Glasgow - we went to parks, played sports, did adventure trails, watched fringe shows, attended the book festival and even animal encounters at Calder Glen. Our Edinburgh dads took part in songwriting workshops and a performance at the Fringe. We took part in the worlds first Parent Strike running events in Edinburgh and Glasgow - and you can read more about that and see the photos here: ParentStrike

A lovely team from Diligenta came to help out in Gorgie and did a great job tidying our outdoor space 💪

Golf Day success

Huge thanks to the dads of North Ayrshire Dads Rock who organised this fantastic golf event. ⛳️🏌️‍♂️ Thank you to the 34 men who took to the tee's, fairway's, green's and occasional rough's and supported a fantastic day.

A1 Glass Kilmarnock - Sponsored first hole £150

Dylan Cairns - Pro Golfer - Played 'Beat the Pro' with all teams through the day.

Kilbirnie Place Golf Club - Our hosts who provided food and a great course

Raffle Donations from: Baby Sensory Ayrshire N&E - Lesley; Feel The Burns Fitness - Ben Burns; Scot Don Tattoo; Neill Mcglynn Photography; Automotive Carbon Clean; Ross Caddis Golf; West Kilbride Golf Club; St Nicks Golf Club; McCrae Art; Tunnocks; Motherland Spice; Taylormade

Below is a round up of August photos👇

Rock September with Us!