A North East play café set up to tackle loneliness and postnatal mental-health struggles among mums is opening its doors to dads too.
Mamxiety Play Café in Guisborough has launched a monthly “Dadxiety” session after growing demand from dads seeking the community offered by its popular mums’ meet-ups.
Founded by local mums Rebecca Lees, Jodie Meggison and Annie Gordon-Shirley, Mamxiety started as a support network for parents before growing into a dedicated play café on Westgate.
Mamxiety Play Café in Guisborough has launched a monthly “Dadxiety” session (Image: SUPPLIED)
Since launching its Mamxiety Meets sessions, the group has welcomed more than 700 parents from across Teesside, helping mothers build friendships and support networks while navigating the challenges of parenthood.
Now the founders are hoping to do the same for fathers and grandads.
The new Dadxiety Meets sessions give men a chance to bring their children along for a Sunday morning play session while meeting other dads in a relaxed and informal setting.
The first sessions have already attracted 24 men.
Rebecca said: "Mamxiety has always been about building that village and creating somewhere parents can walk through the door and feel comfortable.
Mamxiety Play Café in Guisborough has launched a monthly “Dadxiety” session (Image: SUPPLIED)
"We realised dads need that too. Dadxiety isn't anything formal or intimidating. It's literally a cuppa with the lads on a Sunday morning.
"Bring the kids, let them play, sit down with other dads and have a chat."
The sessions are designed to be informal, with no pressure for attendees to share personal experiences or discuss specific issues.
Instead, the aim is simply to create opportunities for parents who may otherwise feel isolated to meet people in similar situations.
Rebecca and Jodie said they had been encouraged by the response so far.
They said: "We've absolutely loved seeing the dads coming in. Twenty-four men through the doors already is amazing, and it's been lovely watching conversations start and people get to know each other.
"Parenthood can sometimes feel really lonely, whether you're a mam or a dad.
"Mamxiety has always been a zero-judgement zone, and we want Dadxiety to have exactly the same feeling."
Mamxiety was originally inspired by Rebecca's own experience of severe postnatal depression after becoming a mother.
Mamxiety Play Café in Guisborough has launched a monthly “Dadxiety” session (Image: SUPPLIED)
What started as small community meet-ups has grown into a permanent base where parents can access support, build friendships and find what the founders describe as their "village".
The café combines a children's play area with coffee, food and regular community events.
Dadxiety Meets will take place monthly at Mamxiety Play Café in Guisborough, with the next session taking place on October 4 at 9.15am.
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Places for Mamxiety Play Café sessions, Mamxiety Meets and Dadxiety Meets can be found via the Mamxiety Play Café booking page: Upcoming events - Booking by Bookwhen
You can find the play café at 97-99 Westgate, Guisborough, TS14 6AF.
The café also offers therapeutic workshops and mental wellness resources for parents, carers and grandparents.