Commissioned by Blackpool Better Start (Blackpool Council), this report showcases a co-produced evaluation of the “Engaging Dads” training programme developed and delivered by United Youth Alliance.
The report captures the voices and experiences of local dads who played a central role in shaping, co-delivering, and reflecting on a series of training sessions aimed at improving how practitioners engage with fathers across Blackpool and the Fylde Coast.
Over eight sessions, delivered both in-person and online, 54 professionals took part, gaining insights directly from dads with lived experience. This collaborative approach brought depth, authenticity, and impact to the training, highlighting the importance of relational work, shared power, and the value of storytelling.
The evaluation outlines the process, outcomes, and reflections from both facilitators and participants, and offers powerful testimonies about how involving fathers directly in shaping services can lead to real change. It also points towards sustainable next steps and opportunities to further embed father-inclusive practice across local services.