be Inspired

Be inspired by the stories and journeys of the amazing young dads we’ve met, including Father Unknown: A funny, challenging and honest theatrical production which played to sold out audiences at Durham Gala Theatre and Northern Stage in the summer of 2023.

Father Unknown

Father Unknown tells the story of Alfie who finds out he’s going to be a dad during GCSE English. Alfie’s life has mainly consisted of cans of monster, jumping the metro, playing Xbox and narrowly avoiding getting chucked out of class, but things are about to change… and fast.

Father Unknown is a funny, challenging and honest look at young fatherhood made in collaboration with young dads at The North East Young Dads and Lads and Newcastle University.

The show was performed at Gala Durham on 15th June and then Northern Stage on 16th & 17th June 2023.

This digital theatre version of the show was filmed at Northern Stage (Stage 3) on Friday 16th June 2023 by Stephen Smith of Threedom Theatre.

This show has had a fascinating journey, born from a passion to tell their stories, the young dads at The North East Young Dads and Lads enlisted human geographer Dr Michael Richardson and creative practitioner Jonah York to help produce their story. Both artists have an incredibly close connection with these young men, working in various capacities for the charity for the last three years and have been inspired by the creative potential of these young men and their stories.

Father Unknown is an amalgamation of a selection of young dads who’ve been part of a long term artistic engagement project. These young dads permeate throughout the creative process of Father Unknown, featuring as writers, interviewers, creators and facilitators. This is more than a show, this is advocacy, youth work and a celebration of parenthood, family and adolescence, the highs, the lows and the undying love each young father has for their child.

CREATIVE TEAM
Alfie – Ryan Nolan
Producers – Jonah York and Dr Michael Richardson
Director – Jonah York
Stage Manager – Rosie Bowden
Writers Room – Elijah Young, Steve Byron, Jonah York, Dr Michael Richardson and the young fathers at The North East Young Dads and Lads
Set Designer – Aileen Kelly
Sound Designer – Jayne Dent (Me Lost Me)
Lighting Designer – Simon Cole
Digital Theatre Consultant – Stephen Smith
Collaborators and Funders; Newcastle University, Northern Stage, Durham Gala, Arts Council, The Baltic Centre of Contemporary Arts and The North East Young Dads and Lads.

Collaborators and Funders
North East Young Dads and Lads
Newcastle University
Durham Gala
Baltic Centre of Contemporary Art
Arts Council England

Loud noises including gunshots (in a gaming context), flashing lights, mature language, sexual references and themes which others may find distressing, such as traumatic birth.

Liam’s Story

Liam became a dad at 17. What followed was a journey shaped by childhood trauma, domestic abuse, homelessness and court battles — but also resilience, support and change.
In this powerful and honest film, Liam speaks openly about growing up around violence, hitting rock bottom, and the turning point that came when he connected with North East Young Dads and Lads. With the right help — including peer support and counselling — Liam rebuilt his life, fought for his daughter, and learned how to be the dad she needed.
Today, Liam works for the very organisation that once supported him, using his experience to help other young fathers.
This film explores mental health, domestic abuse, court proceedings and recovery. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to face things alone — and that support can make all the difference.

“If it wasn’t for me going through the crap… I wouldn’t have gotten me daughter.”

Thank you to Liam for sharing his story and helping other young dads see what’s possible.

The One Show

On 29th May 2024, TV Presenter and young dad Jeff Brazier spent the day with the staff, young dads and trustees of NEYDL for The One Show (shown on 11th June 2024).

Warburtons good stuff –
Wheelie Good Dads

Over a period of 2 years, Warburton’s funded the charities Wheelie Good Dads Cycling Club, providing bikes on free loan to young dads, aswell as stay and play groups for dads and their children, weekly cycling excursions and bike maintenance workshops, all delivered by a young dad previously supported by NEYDL. In May 2024, NEYDL’s Founder and CEO Kevin Stoodley was asked to feature in a promotional film for the Warburton’s Foundation. Sadly, Kevin still can’t perform a wheelie!

In 2024, young dads supported by NEYDL co-created a short film documenting the achievements of the Wheelie Good Dads Cycling Club and our Cycling Coordinator Nathan (who is also a proud young dad). This project would not have been possible without support from Warburtons and Cycling UK.

Honey on the Tyne

by Tom Quested, Daisy Trillo, Lucy Darnell

In the summer of 2023, 3 talented film making students from Newcastle University decided to create a short film focusing on NEYDL’s community beekeeping project for young dads.

BBC Look North Television Feature

April 2020

In April 2020, BBC Look North revisited NEYDL as part of the The Big Night In television appeal on behalf of BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief.

Children in Need:

The North East Young Dads project supporting young dads

In November 2019, the BBC created a short film about the work of NEYDL as part of the BBC Children in Need appeal. Young dads and staff at NEYDL also featured in a live television broadcast as part of the North East regional appeal.

Watch BBC short film here>>

Copyright 2021. DigiDAD is the property of the North East Young Dads and Lads Project CIO, a charity registered in England and Wales. Charity No: 1172924. Company No: CE009920.

Registered office: BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Arts, South Shore Road, Gateshead NE8 3BA.

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