Portsmouth born father of two, Matt has worked in the third sector for more than 23 years supporting some of our city's most vulnerable people and is now using his skills and experience as a leading social entrepreneur across several sectors. For Matt, becoming a parent brought about deeply repressed feelings of paternal abandonment and rejection from his absent birth father and this had a huge impact on choices he made around being a better father for his children, including one child with complex additional needs.
His experiences also highlighted gaps in support for a growing number of Dads who wanted to be more involved in their children’s lives. From this journey into parenthood, Dadzclub, a supportive community for fathers was conceived.
The Parenting Network was established a year later after Matt also identified gaps in support for other marginalised parent groups, in particular, young parents. Today with the support of a very talented team of professionals, The Parenting Network has grown into one of the area's leading third sector family support services delivering 6 programmes across Hampshire.
Finance Manager
We will soon be recruiting for an experienced Marketing Manager
We will soon be recruiting for this role
The Parenting Network is a non profit charitable organisation working to empower parents
and build a supportive community of families who live within the city of Portsmouth.
We offer a range therapeutic and befriending programmes including a Baby Bank
that provides much needed items to families in need.
We actively listen to parents within our communities, providing advice, support and signposting towards more appropriate specialist services. Our work with families is delivered through a series of engaging programmes that promote fun learning, strengthening of family bonds and bringing people together whilst also tackling stigmas, gender stereotyping and social isolation.