Borough Life Winter 2006: Why latest debate on Weeble Wobbles is a men matter
IT’S four o’clock on a warm autumn afternoon in Hindley. Inside the impressive new Sure Start Children’s Centre on Mornington Road a debate is in full swing. Voices are raised enthusiastically and it’s clear the two men at the centre of the conversation share the same passion.
So what is it that’s got these two visitors to the flagship children’s centre so animated? Football? Politics? The finer points of the internal combustion engine?
In fact today’s hotly contested topic is…Weeble Wobbles.
These days, the small, round, eternally cheerful little plastic people who, as we all know, wobble but don’t fall down, are just called “Weebles”, but their gravity defying powers remain intact.
And they’re a big hit with dads Stephen Gough and Andy Turner, who are both regulars at the Friday afternoon ‘Men Matter’ session. A new Weebles set has just been released and the two dads are eagerly sharing their knowledge about it.
Of course they’re an even bigger hit with the kids. Billy Gough, aged two, sister Lucy, four and Megan Turner, two, sprawl across the floor with an impressive combination of race track and helicopter station, equally oblivious to the world around them.
Overseeing the energy-filled session is Men Matter Co-ordinator Daniel Blackledge.
Daniel’s been at the helm for the past 18 months and has seen interest in the sessions steadily grow during that time. He says: “It all came about because we wanted to provide dads, granddads, stepdads or any other male carers with children under the age of five more opportunities to take advantage of the childcare services that exist in our borough.
“We found that many men find the idea of childcare or play sessions a little intimidating because it’s generally believed they are only for mums and toddlers.”
In an effort to break down these stereotypical barriers Daniel has organised a host of activities aimed at enticing the dads into the centre.
“We started by running some outdoor play sessions which we found the men were more likely to go to because it was outside, and informal,” says Daniel.
“From here we have put on loads of different things such as the indoor play sessions. We go for regular trips out through the countryside with the ‘Rambling Dads’ group.
“We help in the running of an allotment near the Tyldesley Children’s Centre, where the blokes can have a go at growing organic vegetables and also learn more about cooking for the family.”
The dads and kids have also been out and about with excursions to places like the Blue Planet Aquarium and Blackpool illuminations.
“It’s good fun,” Daniel says. “The children have a great time, go home tired and we have found that they develop more of a bond with their dads as result of spending that extra time together.”
It’s also a learning process because the more experienced dads are often willing to pass on their knowledge about looking after the little ones.
This, of course, includes the low-down on the latest Weeble Wobbles set.
Stephen Gough is a regular at the Men Matter sessions and is urging more dads to get involved. “I’ve learnt a lot and had some really good experiences at the same time,” he says. “There’s plenty to get involved with and there’s always something different to do.
“Things like the football matches Daniel organises are great for getting you back into fitness. Some of us haven’t played for a while but we can begin to feel it coming back.”
Stephen adds: “The most important thing is that it has allowed me to spend more quality time with the children and our relationship is far better as a result. I’d recommend any dad to give it a go because many of the activities are all free. And the results are priceless.”
Dads who want to get involved with Men Matter can contact Daniel Blackledge on 07795 092977.
For more information on the council’s Sure Start services, call 01942 206205 or visit the Sure Start pages at Wigan Council’s website www.wigan.gov.uk