Contact Person

Doug Laidlaw

Organisation Address

North East Young Dads and Lads
Mitchell House
Gladstone Terrace West
Gateshead
NE8 4EA
United Kingdom

54.9546402, -1.6045111

Our Values:

NEYDL is a unique youth support service that is dedicated to helping young men and young fathers to play an active and meaningful role in the lives of their children, within families and wider society.

We offer a non-judgmental service that is based on mutual trust, respect and honesty. We listen and respond to the challenges facing young men and work with them on a voluntary basis to find positive and long-term solutions. We operate a ‘revolving door’ policy that enables young men to return time and again for help, assistance and friendship.

Our Offer:

Currently funded to work with young fathers and expectant dads and other vulnerable young men aged under 25 who live in Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland, we work with young men alone (Individual Help) and in groups (Peer Support) to achieve the following:

  • A greater sense of self-worth, self-confidence and self-esteem.
  • Building self-reliance and resilience.
  • Reduce social isolation, build effective peer support networks and a greater sense of belonging.
  • Acquire new knowledge and skills relevant to future employability and career progression.
  • Enhance parenting practice and improve relationships.
  • Be empowered to voice their needs and wishes and be involved in important decisions that affect their future and the lives of their children.
  • Identify and overcome barriers.
  • Campaign effectively to improve service provision and practice.
  • Challenge negative perceptions of young men and boys in wider society.
  • Identify and access wider help from other services and professionals.
  • Instil a passion for life-long learning by reconnecting young men with education.
  • ‘Lead from the front’ and direct the charities work and vision.

How We Work:

Upon receipt of a suitable referral (from a young man or professional), we will:

  • Try to make contact with the young man within 5 working days by telephone, text message or email.
  • Arrange to meet in a safe place (this could include a coffee shop, school or college, community venue or even at home) within 10 working days.
  • Listen to and hear his story, help him to identify the help he needs and agree a way forward.
  • Commit to meeting
  • In the event that a young man decides to withdraw from the project we will inform the person who made the initial referral and then respectfully cease contact.
  • Always welcome the young man back to the project with open arms.

For more information contact Doug Laidlaw.

Areas covered