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Where it all started...

Our Founder - Matt Foster, The boy no one wanted, The Unlikely CEO.

Matt never knew his birth father, he abandoned him before he ever got the chance to ask why. He grew up with a deeply flawed far right stepfather who took his own life in 2024 on Remembrance Sunday rather than succumb to alcoholism and cancer. 


He was abusive and controlling, and pushed Matt out of his own family home from a young age.


What followed was a long, lonely chapter: poverty, homelessness, mental health struggles, and years battling sex and love addiction. 


He had no guide. No map. No role model.


Then in 2011, He became a dad, and everything changed.

He made a promise, that he would become the role model he never had. 

That the cycle would end with him.

It was from that deeply personal turning point that Dadzclub was conceived: a space where fathers could connect, grow, and find support on their parenting journey, especially those doing it without a blueprint.


Soon after, Matt recognised that it wasn’t just fathers who were being overlooked, but all kinds of parents. Young parents. Isolated parents. Parents affected by trauma, poverty or systemic neglect. So in 2017, he launched The Parenting Network, a response to the clear lack of inclusive, holistic family support services in Portsmouth.


Bringing together other passionate lived experienced leaders, what began with one man’s lived experience and a local dad’s group has now grown into one of Hampshire’s leading third sector organisations for families. 


Matt Foster is a lived experience leader who has transformed personal trauma into a lifelong mission to support others. 


With over 25 years in the third sector, he is the founder and CEO of The Parenting Network, The Portsmouth Baby Bank and Dadzclub, organisations that challenge outdated narratives around masculinity and provide inclusive, community-based support for families.


Today, The Parenting Network has become a household name in Portsmouth for family support, offering everything from stay-and-play sessions and baby banks to father-focused programmes that give dads a place to connect and thrive.


Matt’s leadership extends far beyond these core projects. He has led major holiday hunger initiatives, coordinated the delivery of thousands of activity packs during the COVID-19 lockdowns, and spearheaded Portsmouth’s largest peacetime humanitarian response when war broke out in Ukraine.


Driven by compassion, lived experience, and a deep belief in the power of community, Matt continues to inspire change, build connections, and create practical solutions where they’re needed most.

Our Vision, mission, Aims & Objectives

Vision Statement:

Our vision is to create a world where fathers are supported, valued, and actively involved in their children's lives. We strive for a society that breaks gender stereotypes, provides accessible services for fathers, and promotes discussions about equality and support. Through our community, activities, and collaborations, we aim to inspire and empower fathers to build strong relationships with their children and make a positive impact on their families and communities.


Mission:

The mission of Dadzclub is to explore and celebrate the journey of fatherhood by building a supportive community of like-minded fathers. Through our online presence and weekly in-person social meetups, we aim to create an inclusive environment where fathers can connect, share experiences, and strengthen their bonds with their children. We actively collaborate with other organisations to improve access to services for fathers, raise awareness of health and parenting issues affecting men, challenge gender stereotypes, and promote discussions around allyship and gender equity.


Aims:

1. Foster a supportive community: Dadzclub aims to bring together fathers and provide a supportive community where they can connect, share experiences, and find support through stay & play social groups, peer support groups, and our online platforms.


2. Enhance father-child relationships: Dadzclub aims to strengthen father-child relationships by organising engaging, creative, and playful weekend groups. These activities provide a friendly environment where dads can chat with other dads while spending quality time with their children.


3. Advocate for fathers' well-being: Dadzclub aims to raise awareness of health and parenting issues affecting men. We actively work alongside other organisations to improve access to services for fathers and collaborate with them to ensure fathers' well-being is prioritised.


4. Challenge gender stereotypes: Dadzclub seeks to redefine gender stereotypes by promoting discussions around allyship and gender equity. We aim to create a society that embraces diverse caregiving roles and challenges traditional notions of masculinity.


Objectives:

1. Provide diverse services: Dadzclub offers a range of services across Portsmouth, Southampton, and the Isle of Wight, including stay & play social groups, monthly peer support groups, and a protected Facebook group for dads. We also maintain a strong social media presence to provide education and a parental voice for fathers.


2. Foster community inclusion: Dadzclub actively participates in events and collaborates with statutory, community, and health organisations to promote community inclusion and ensure fathers' voices are heard and respected.


3. Organise recreational activities: Dadzclub arranges weekly kick-about football sessions to encourage physical activity and socialisation among fathers.


4. Host annual International Men's Day event: Dadzclub organises an annual event to celebrate International Men's Day, creating a platform to address relevant topics and promote positive discussions around fatherhood.


5. Dadzcamp: Dadzclub offers a fun-filled weekend retreat called Dadzcamp, providing fathers and their children with a memorable adventure-packed experience.


6. Provide public speaking services: Dadzclub offers public speaking services to share insights and experiences related to fatherhood, promoting awareness and understanding of the challenges and joys of being a father.


7. Consultation with businesses: Dadzclub offers consultation services to businesses, providing guidance on creating equal and supportive workplaces for working fathers.

Dadzclub Team

Matt Foster

Harry Randell

Harry Randell

Dadzclub Founder & CEO

matt@dadzclub.com

matt@theparentingnetwork.co.uk

Harry Randell

Harry Randell

Harry Randell

Dadzclub Coordinator Portsmouth

harry.randell@theparentingnetwork.co.uk

Neil Campbell

Harry Randell

Neil Campbell

 Military Dadzchat Coordinator

neil.campbell@theparentingnetwork.co.uk

William Blake

William Blake

Neil Campbell

Dadzclub Coordinator

Isle Of Wight

william.blake@theparentingnetwork.co.uk

Sam Townsend

William Blake

Sam Townsend

Dadzclub Project Worker

Southampton

samual.townsend@theparentingnetwork.co.uk

Dadzclub is proud to part of The Parenting Network

The Parenting Network: Your Village in Parenthood


At The Parenting Network, we provide vital FREE services to families in South Hampshire, empowering families and enriching lives. Our mission is to support you through every stage of parenting.


We offer a range of services, including engaging stay and play groups, school readiness programmes, fathers' groups, and teen mum support. Our bump & baby classes provide essential guidance for new parents, while our Mischief Makers programme fosters creativity and connection through fun, interactive activities.


Our services are delivered in Family Hubs across the city, and we also have a dedicated family support space in the Bridge Shopping Centre, Fratton, where families can connect, receive support, and access advice.


We are committed to assisting families who have experienced childhood trauma and we also run a busy baby bank that supports over 100 families every month.


Each year, we reach thousands of families, running 30 stay and play groups weekly and distributing 300 meals a week to ensure everyone has access to essential resources.

Join us in building a brighter future for families in Portsmouth—together, we are Your Village in Parenthood.

Find out more

The Parenting Network Management Team

Matt Foster

April Gilbert

April Gilbert

Dadzclub Founder & CEO

matt@dadzclub.com

matt@theparentingnetwork.co.uk

April Gilbert

April Gilbert

April Gilbert

Chief Operating Officer

april@theparentingnetwork.co.uk

Vicky Chapter

April Gilbert

Vicky Chapter

Fundraising & Marketing Manager

vicky@theparentingnetwork.co.uk

Jo Morgan

April Gilbert

Vicky Chapter

Head of Corporate Partnerships

jo.morgan@theparentingnetwork.co.uk

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