I was 11 Years Old when…

our mum’s multiple sclerosis broke any domestic gender role expectations I might have had as a young teenager in a family of males.

At 33, becoming a dad showed me how challenging the early stages of fatherhood can be - identity change, anxiety and highly charged, mixed emotions, it also demonstrated that work and ‘status’ don’t define a man.

I was 35, in 2012, when 1 year old George Burke’s sudden death, followed 5 days later by the suicide of his dad, my friend, Paul, showed how fragile life can be. The devastation these events caused painfully illustrated the importance of normalising men feeling comfortable talking about their trauma, emotions and anxiety, and crucially, knowing where to turn for crisis support.

Ultimately coaching has shown me a way to help.

The Mission

To help HR leaders support a new generation of dads as they navigate the vital early years of fatherhood. Creating structures and support that facilitate a redefinition of traditional, potentially divisive gender stereotypes around “breadwinning” and “caring”, helping new dads to be the hands-on, active and involved fathers they don’t necessarily remember growing up.

Coaching, mentoring and the creation of confidential spaces is good for dads’ well-being and mental fitness, improves equality at home and at work and redefines, for everyone, what “being committed” looks like in the workplace.

Ultimately the mission is to help men to solve this crucial question:

How to be a great dad, without sacrificing a great career?

Our Vision

Equal parental Leave rights, enshrined in law, for all.

We believe that this generation of dads is ready to embrace a new type of working life, one that blends work and family in a way rarely previously experienced by men.

No longer constrained by traditional and divisive gender stereotypes around “breadwinning” and “caring”, these dads are ready to be the hands-on fathers they don’t necessarily remember growing up.

We know that more time spent looking after their children is good for dads’ well-being and mental health, unlocks workplace opportunities for their partners, improves equality at home and redefines, for everyone, what “being committed” looks like in the workplace.

This generation of dads understands that you shouldn’t have to choose between “being a great dad and having a great career”, and with the right support they will drive improved choice for everyone, better mental health outcomes and gender equality at home and at work.

Our Values

Flexible working for all

Everyone wins when dads feel comfortable seeking out the type of flexible working patterns that support their desire to be an active and involved father. #Flexforall.

Supporting Dads leads to gender equality

When dads are comfortable taking extended leave, or accessing flexible or remote working, not only is it good for their well-being and building emotional connections with their family, but it also unlocks work opportunities for their partners and facilitates equality in the home.  

Communication is key

Dads need to be honest about their needs and pressures, and learn to talk openly with partners, managers and co-workers to design working lives that deliver what they and their families want and need.

Why work with Inspiring Dads?

My Name is Ian Dinwiddy

I deliver coaching, presentations and workshops to innovative businesses who put supporting new dads at the heart of their gender equality strategy, recognising the positive impact on equality and well-being of helping dads solve the challenge of “how to be a great dad WITHOUT sacrificing a great career.”

An ex Management consultant, twice a stay at home dad and an English National League hockey umpire, I’m the co-host of 46 episodes of the Lockdown Dads podcast, where we interviewed politicians, PhDs and an international rock star.

I deliver webinars such as “Supporting Dads at Work, a Route to Gender Equality” and workshops covering topics such as “The Emotional and Practical Impacts of Becoming a Dad” and “The Dad You Want To Be - Tips For Fathering Success.”

According to the NCT, the number of men who become depressed in the first year after becoming a dad is double that of the general population, with first time dads being particularly vulnerable. One in ten dads-to-be will also become depressed during their partner’s pregnancy. When we focus on new dads’ well-being and transition to fatherhood we help transform workplace culture and enhancing gender equality at home and at work.

As seen in…

Making a difference

Inspiring Dads supports two of the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development

3. Good Health and Well-being

5. Gender Equality

In line with #3 “Good Health And Well-Being”, We pledge to donate 1% of our sales value to the charity “2 wish.”

Based in South Wales, 2 Wish provides immediate and ongoing bereavement support for families, individuals and professionals affected by the sudden and traumatic death of a child or young adult aged 25 or under.

Rhian Mannings, MBE, set up the charity in 2012 after her one year old son, George and her husband, Paul, died within 5 days of each other. Paul was a good friend of mine and I have proudly supported the charity in private capacity with an annual charity hockey match, involving alumni of University College, London and the broader University of London community and I’m now delighted to support the charity via Inspiring Dads.

Ian