A support network designed to help men worried about fatherhood is set to grow.

DadSpace was founded by Denver King, then working as an office manager for a satellite TV company, in November 2021.

He said: “By then, my wife Nina and I had two children - Sienna and Amaya.

“I found myself beginning to get anxious. Would I be able to financially support my children? Would I be a good father? Would I be a good partner?

“I looked around for some support and advice and realised there just wasn’t anything for dads available.”

So Mr King started DadSpace and after advertising the first meeting on Facebook and Instagram was delighted when 15 men turned up.

He said: “It proved at once that there was a need, that it wasn’t just me.”

Since then, the initiative has expanded with meetings in Maidstone, Ashford and Sevenoaks.

A typical meeting could see anything between six and 30 men turn up.

Mr King said: “We are completely inclusive. We have expectant dads, dads with newborns, single dads, dads with teenagers, even grandads.”

In a typical meeting, held at The Albion pub in Boughton Monchlesea, dads sit in a circle and each have the chance to voice what’s worrying them - or not to, if they prefer just to listen.

In the second half of the meeting, there is more directed talk on a particular topic - such as children’s relationships with social media.

But, Mr King, said: “We mix it up a bit. We also have walk-and-talk meetings, where we meet either at The Walnut Tree in Loose or The Musket Brewery in Boughton Monchelsea, and then after our chat, we go for a walk.”

The group also meets for a gym session at Fitter, Stronger, Faster in Sutton Road, Maidstone.

Mr King said: “That’s a really good bonding exercise and people find it easier to talk afterwards.”

The Sevenoaks meetings are slightly different - they have family sessions, with the children invited along too.

Mr King, 46, from Northleigh Close in Loose, said: “Some people come just once or twice and that’s sufficient for them. Others are still coming who joined in the very first sessions.

“It’s all up to the individual.

DadSpace has just been given a £10,000 grant from Kent County Council to roll-out more support groups across the county.

A new group is set to launch in Faversham by the end of the month, with plans to expand the network to Thanet, Folkestone and Hythe, Dartford and Gravesham later.

Mr King said: “It’s a myth that men don’t want to talk about their experiences of being a father. Give us a safe space and we will open up, which can have positive impacts on the whole family.”

He said: “I’m so proud of what DadSpace has become. Now we have a fantastic chance to grow and provide a consistent service to many more dads across more places in Kent.”

Any dads wanting to book places for existing group sessions can find details here.

KCC’s cabinet member for public health, Cllr Dan Watkins, said: “As a father myself, I know how life-changing becoming a parent is and how important it is to be supported.

“DadSpace is doing fantastic work and we’re excited to back their expansion into more parts of the county.”