A GROUP of dads who started a project to share their experiences of parenting has been nominated for the York Community Pride Awards.

Yorkey Dads was set up in 2016 by friends Jack Woodhams, Mike Hassell, Mike Hewitt and Dan Braidley.

Jack said the project began as a Facebook group where dads could discuss the ups and downs of fatherhood. But it quickly grew and the team now run regular events including Lego workshops, breakfast clubs and even classes where dads can learn how to style their daughter's hair.

Jack added: "The most important thing is just getting the dads there together. We know how important it is for men to talk and to open up. It is empowering.

"A young dad recently shared his challenges of being a teenage father and asked can anybody relate to this? It's just a safe place for dads to talk to each other.

"It's so simple, it's just about being dads.

"It's so rewarding to be part of the group, we are very proud of it. But it's also really nice to get the recognition.

Yorkey Dads now has more than 500 members and was nominated as best community project by Anna Harrison from Lidgett Methodist Church.

She said: "They provide a really fantastic session for dads to get together in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Not only have they realised the lack of support for dads, they've done something about it."

Sam Smart from Clifton Children's Centre also nominated the group, saying:"Fathers work is so important and sadly over time these kind of groups have disappeared.

"Yorkey Dadsis going from strength to strength and something that York as a city should be very proud of."

The Community Pride Awards are run by The Press in partnership with City of York Council and the primary sponsor is York-based healthcare organisation Benenden. The best community project award is sponsored by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Submit your nominations at yorkpress.co.uk/communitypride.