Hakim’s daughter was six months old when her mother died.
Overnight, this construction worker became a single father with a baby, no community, and no idea where to begin.
WHERE HE STARTED
Hakim had put his job aside to care for his daughter and was struggling financially and emotionally. He often questioned whether he was doing enough as a father and had become increasingly isolated.
John from Future Men began attending stay-and-play sessions alongside him. Not to assess or direct him, but simply to provide consistent support and help him reconnect with others. Over time, this gave Hakim a sense of routine, confidence, and somewhere he felt comfortable attending regularly.
Alongside the emotional support, John also helped Hakim with practical challenges at home. This included supporting him to source affordable second-hand furniture and furnishings for his property, as well as helping him work through budgeting and planning his finances so he could manage essential household costs more confidently. The support focused on practical, achievable steps that helped improve stability for both Hakim and his daughter.
WHAT GREW
Over time, Hakim became more connected to the local community through the stay-and-play group and wider family hub support. As his confidence grew, he began building positive relationships with other parents and local services, helping to reduce the isolation he had previously experienced. The support around him became more informal and community-led, with local organisations and individuals offering encouragement and practical support where they could. By the time of his daughter’s following birthday, Hakim was able to celebrate the occasion surrounded by people he had come to know through the group and wider support network, reflecting the strong sense of connection and belonging he had developed over time.
“He went from a place of despair, with no smiles, to seeing a room full of people who had shown up for his daughter’s birthday.”
John Okusanya, Future Men Project Coordinator
Hakim was also navigating significant personal grief alongside the challenges of becoming a primary carer. Throughout this period, John provided consistent emotional support, helping him process difficult experiences while continuing to focus on building stability and routine for himself and his daughter.
Hakim had hoped to take his daughter abroad to visit extended family, but financially this felt out of reach at the time. Through the relationships and connections built within the stay-and-play group and wider community network, additional support was offered which helped make the trip possible. This reflected the strong sense of community and practical support that had developed around the family over time.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Hakim benefited from consistent, relationship-based support that focused on practical guidance, emotional encouragement, and helping him feel more connected within his local community. Through regular engagement at stay-and-play sessions and ongoing support from Future Men, he was able to build confidence in his role as a father, improve stability at home, and strengthen his support network. The impact of this support extended beyond Hakim himself. It contributed to a more positive and stable environment for his daughter, helping to strengthen family relationships, increase social connection, and improve overall wellbeing for both father and child.
This reflects the wider impact of Future Men’s approach: providing early, practical, and community-based support that helps fathers feel more confident, connected, and engaged in family life.
Names have been changed to protect identity.