Please watch this short video which gives an insight into the positive impact that #LadsNeedDads has had on the lives of these amazing boys. I’m So proud of them. 💓

I’m preparing for the next leg of my Churchill Fellowship -exploring how Australia supports boys growing up without fathers or positive male role models. I’d love to connect with organisations, schools, and individuals doing work in this space. I plan to go May 2026. Please share

Back from my Churchill Fellowship travels in the U.S. ✈️ A special highlight was spending time with Dr. Warren Farrell, whose work on boys, men & fatherhood continues to inspire worldwide. Now home in the UK 🇬🇧 and looking forward to planning the next stage: Australia. 🌏

@RichardvReeves @csjthinktank @MBCoalition @TendringMag @ChurchillFship

From mentoring circles in the bush… …to streets ruled by fear in Delft. I’ve seen lives shaped - not just by gangs, but by those who choose to stand in the gap for boys. Fatherlessness leaves a gap. Here in South Africa, I’ve seen what happens when good men step in to fill it

After SA, I’ll head to the US, then Australia – learning from global mentoring models that support fatherless boys. Here’s to bringing those insights back to the UK. Here’s to boys being seen, supported & set up for success. 💪

I’ve brought goodie bags for the boys – including sports socks kindly donated by Shaun from @SpoxSocks 🧦 A small gesture, but one I hope makes them feel seen and valued.

For the next 10 days, I’ll start by joining their boys’ camp and learning from their long-term mentoring model – built on consistency, character, and the power of male role models. Their ethos aligns with ours https://t.co/OsUx4RMF1W and I’m here to learn and share.

🌍 The adventure begins! 🇿🇦 Tomorrow I start my Churchill Fellowship in South Africa with @CharacterCo_SA – one of the few orgs that boldly address fatherlessness head-on. Over 60% of boys in SA grow up without dads. @ChurchillFship @csjthinktank @MBCoalition 🧵👇

��People often think fatherlessness only shows up in school reports or courtrooms. But sometimes, it’s in the way you love. The way you fear. The way you leave before you’re left. Not all wounds are loud - some live quietly in the heart.” - (Sonia Shaljean 2025). #ladsneeddads

“Every year, we see the same patterns with certain boys - you can almost predict the path they’ll take by Year 7. But today gave us hope. Lad Pods feels like the missing piece we’ve needed for a long time.” (Teacher) https://t.co/IjgP6cdLR8 @RichardvReeves

We’re only halfway through July and have already trained 5 forward-thinking secondary schools to deliver our innovative LADPODs, early intervention emotional intelligence well-being groups, for boys missing a father figure, utilising male teachers starting in Sept! @csjthinktank

Thrilled to have been shortlisted as a finalist in the National Enterprise Vision Awards under the Not-for-Profit category! 🎉 I’d be so grateful if you could take a sec to vote for me – every vote counts in case of a tie! 🙏 https://t.co/hyfMXvLH2P

Meet our #EVAS2025 Finalist, Sonia Shaljean, founder of Lads Need Dads CIC, is a Finalist in the 2025 Enterprise Vision Awards Not For Profit category sponsored by Blackpool Transport @SShaljean @BPL_Transport We offer a free ticket to each of our Finalists in this category.

The number one predictor of whether someone will graduate from college is being raised by two married parents. The data on this is crystal clear. And it aligns with my own experience. Growing up, I had five close friends. Of the six of us, none were raised by two married parents.

Wow… more than 85% of Virginian kids living with a mom and dad at home will earn mostly A’s and B’s, regardless of their race. Grades drop drastically in father-absent homes. Fathers are so important! @BradWilcoxIFS

A month today I begin my Churchill Fellowship journey, heading to South Africa and the US to explore powerful solutions for boys growing up without fathers. Honoured to represent @ladsneeddads and learn from global leaders tackling this crisis. @ChurchillFship @csjthinktank

A proud night as 3 of our ambassadors received Jack Petchey Awards! Robbie (16), Albie (18) & Harley (18), mentored by Pete & Matt and the team since age 11. We’ve walked with them into manhood. ☺️#LadsNeedDads @csjthinktank @MBCoalition

Thrilled to announce that Lads Need Dads won the Supporting Young People Award at the NHS Suffolk & North East Essex ICS ‘Can Do’ Health and Care Awards 2025! on Friday 🥳🏆 Huge thanks to Essex Youth Service for the nomination! 💙 #CanDoAwards @Essex_CC

Thrilled to share I’ve been awarded a Churchill Fellowship! 🌍 This summer I’ll travel to South Africa and the US to explore how communities mentor fatherless boys - bringing global learning home to strengthen our work here in the UK. @ChurchillFship @CentreMalePsych @BBCEssex

A brilliant day clay pigeon shooting at Park Hall yesterday thanks to LND ambassador Alby and his Jack Petchey Award 🎯 Big shoutout to Harley – another winner – who hit 9/10 shots and is hoping to join the Army! #LadsNeedDads #JackPetcheyAward #ArmyBound #YouthOpportunity