Programmes
Founded on the belief that early support changes futures, Lads Need Dads was one of the first organisations in the UK to take a proactive, structured approach to supporting boys and young men growing up without a consistent father figure. Our work combines early intervention with long-term support, recognising that boys need trusted relationships and positive role models over time.
Our programmes and resources are designed to support both boys and the mothers or carers raising them, because strong families create stronger outcomes.
At Lads Need Dads, we create opportunities for boys and young men to discover who they are, build confidence and recognise their potential. Through positive male role models, mentoring and structured programmes, we help nurture a generation of boys who grow into resilient young men.
We are committed to building a culture of positive masculinity, belonging and self-belief. Through mentoring, emotional literacy, practical life skills, outdoor experiences, leadership opportunities and meaningful community involvement, we help boys develop confidence, strengthen relationships and build the foundations they need to thrive.
The Equip, Engage & Inspire Pathway
Our 18-month long-term mentoring pathway brings together our Equip, Engage and Inspire programmes, designed for boys aged 11–15 during the critical years of adolescence. The programme combines early intervention with trusted relationships and consistent support, recognising that lasting change takes time.
Through male-led group mentoring, boys take part in practical and engaging experiences including outdoor and bushcraft activities, life-skills development, emotional literacy, community volunteering, leadership opportunities and exposure to inspiring men, places and experiences that broaden horizons and raise aspirations.
Following completion of the programme, boys can continue their journey through our optional fourth stage: Ambassadors. This provides ongoing peer and mentor support, alongside opportunities to volunteer, give back to the community, develop leadership skills and become positive role models for younger boys entering the programme.
Early intervention with long-term support
Male-led mentoring in small groups
Fully vetted and specialist-trained mentors
Emotional literacy and personal development focus
Bushcraft and outdoor experiences
Community volunteering and social action
New experiences that broaden horizons
Leadership and peer mentoring opportunities
Ongoing support through our Ambassadors programme
Our Programmes
Reading Mentors
Lad Pods
Equip
Engage
Inspire
Ambassadors
Family Support
We recognise that being a single parent of teenage boys can be challenging and therefore our service does not only support boys, but also supports mums and carers during their sons’ time with us. We offer the following services:
Family Support Worker
Regular check in & support via telephone / remote meetings with our support worker.
Parent Training
Free workshops on behaviour, de-escalation techniques and much more.
Conflict Mediation
Structured sessions for families experiencing conflict and crisis at home.
Support Groups
Parents and carers can access our active support groups via social media.
Reading Mentors
Reading skills are fundamental to everything we do. Boys fall considerably behind girls in reading abilities throughout their school life. Boys are a 1/3 less likely to go to University than girls and boys have been falling behind girls in G.C.S.E’s for three decades.
Statistics show that on average, boys who see their father read for 30 mins a day read more than boys who never see their father. Boys from homes where a father is absent are at a greater risk of under achieving in school.
We aim to address this imbalance and have designed a reading mentor scheme using male volunteers from the local community. Our Volunteers are trained as reading mentors and help improve boys reading and literacy skills.
Reading Mentors are matched to boys with absent fathers or limited access to a male role model, in year 6 Primary Schools for a 3 month period. Each session lasts 45 mins to one hour. Boys engage in a check in and review of their week, and using emotion cards, identify their emotions and discuss this. The check-in is followed by the mentor reading to the boy. The session is not about assessing a boys reading ability it is about the boy being given dedicated time and attention to be read to.
