Home / About
About usAbout Fathers United UK
We support, empower and celebrate fathers, because they deserve to be seen in their full humanity: as parents, carers, leaders and role models.
Our mission
To strengthen fathers, support father-child relationships and build healthier communities, through practical help, positive activities and advocacy.
Why we started
There is a clear gap in support for fathers. Services speak about families but rarely make space for fathers, focusing on what is missing rather than what is possible. We wanted something different.
Strong fathers help build safer communities
When children grow up with present fathers and positive male role models, they grow up with belonging, confidence and a clear sense of who they are, and those are some of the strongest protections a young person can have.
By bringing fathers and children together from a young age, Fathers United UK helps young people feel seen, valued and rooted long before they are ever pulled toward harm. It is also how we play our part in steering young people away from violence, including knife and gun crime, not by waiting to respond after it happens, but by building strong foundations early. Prevention is better than cure, and it begins with family, role models and belonging.
Respect
We treat everyone with dignity. Every story matters.
Community
Strong networks help fathers and families thrive. No father should feel alone.
Honesty
We speak plainly about the challenges fathers face, and their strength.
Family
Children benefit when fathers are supported, involved and connected.
Trust
We build safe, reliable support that fathers and partners can believe in.
Positive change
We work for lasting change, not one-off activity.
Our charitable objects
The objects of the CIO are, for the public benefit:
- To promote social inclusion among fathers, male caregivers, and their families who are socially excluded from society, or parts of society, as a result of relationship breakdown, marital separation, lone parenting, or complex family circumstances, to assist them to integrate into and participate in society. This will be achieved by:
- Delivering structured support programmes: running the Fathers United Circle, a formalised 6-session peer-support curriculum focusing on emotional resilience, positive co-parenting techniques, and managing the practical adjustments of separation.
- Providing one-to-one mentoring and peer circles: establishing regular, safe spaces for group dialogue and individual volunteer-led check-ins to alleviate isolation, low mood and anxiety among newly separated fathers.
- Operating a dedicated signposting and referral pathway: collaborating with established, specialist organisations (including Families Need Fathers, Support Through Court, Mankind Initiative, and the Family Rights Group) to provide clear pathways for fathers requiring family court navigation, mediation support, and professional legal assistance.
- Hosting inclusive community integration events: organising accessible community initiatives such as our annual Family Football Day, designed to reduce the stigma surrounding paternal mental health, alongside anti-knife and anti-gun awareness campaigns (Say No to Violence), reuniting separated families in a neutral space, and building local peer support networks.
- To preserve and protect the physical and mental health of fathers, male caregivers, and their families who are in need by reason of stress, isolation, domestic challenges, or emotional distress, particularly through the provision of wellbeing workshops, peer support, wellbeing circles, and healthy lifestyle education.
- To advance the education of the public, fathers, and families in parenting skills, positive fatherhood, child development, emotional resilience, conflict resolution, and family stability, with a view to improving developmental outcomes and life opportunities for children and young people.
- To relieve poverty and financial hardship among fathers and families experiencing economic disadvantage by providing workshops and guidance on financial literacy, debt management, budgeting, employability skills, and training to support sustainable employment and socioeconomic stability.
- To promote community development, safety, and citizenship for the public benefit by preventing or reducing the risk of children and young people becoming involved in crime, anti-social behaviour, or gang culture, through early intervention programmes, youth mentoring, positive male role models, sports-led community activities, and awareness campaigns targeting the reduction of youth violence, knife, and gun crime.
The story behind Fathers United UK
I'm Temitope Kolarin, founder of Fathers United UK.
People often ask me why I started Fathers United UK, and the answer is simple. I know the difference a father can make, because I lived it.
I grew up with a father who was present. He supported me, guided me, and taught me values that have stayed with me into adulthood. Looking back, I can see how much those moments shaped the person I have become.
As I got older, I saw that not every child has that. Too many fathers feel isolated or unsure where to turn, and too many young people grow up without the guidance they deserve. That is why I created Fathers United UK.
This is about bringing fathers together, helping them support one another, and giving them the confidence to play an active role in their children's lives. A place to ask for help without judgement, build real friendships, and become positive role models at home and in the community.
I also believe preventing youth violence starts long before a young person picks up a knife. It starts with strong families and communities that invest in their children. That is the future I want to build.
My dream is a place where every father feels welcome, every child feels valued, and every family knows they belong. We are only just getting started, and I would love you to join us.
The people who guide us
Our trustees bring experience, care and community insight to how Fathers United UK is run.
Khalifa Araba
Trustee
Khalifa Araba is an experienced employment, social inclusion and community development professional with over 15 years supporting people facing complex barriers to employment, education and independence. She holds an LLB and a Master's in Human Rights and Social Justice, and has worked across the public, voluntary and charity sectors, including HM Courts and Tribunals Service and local authorities. She currently works as a Senior Employment Specialist, helping people experiencing mental health and substance-misuse challenges into meaningful employment. Her expertise spans safeguarding, governance, partnership development and supporting vulnerable adults to achieve lasting outcomes. Alongside her career she supports single mothers through mentoring and personal development, and is founder of the Happy Single Moms community. As a trustee of Fathers United UK, Khalifa brings strategic thinking, strong governance awareness and a commitment to keeping the needs of the community at the heart of every decision.
Abi Adebowale
Trustee
Abi Adebowale is a strategic business leader and community entrepreneur with a passion for turning ideas into sustainable initiatives that create lasting social and economic impact. With experience across government, healthcare, technology and the voluntary sector, he has delivered complex transformation programmes, strengthened organisational performance, and led teams through change. Known for his collaborative style and ability to build strong partnerships across the public, private and voluntary sectors, Abi brings people together around a shared vision. His work is driven by integrity, innovation and a genuine commitment to improving lives through sustainable community development. As a trustee of Fathers United UK, he helps guide our strategy and growth so the charity delivers lasting impact for families and communities.
Monique Hughes
Trustee
Monique Hughes is a community engagement and partnership professional with over 10 years of experience bringing people and organisations together to create meaningful social impact. She has led community outreach, built strategic partnerships, coordinated large-scale events, and developed programmes that improve access to services and open up opportunities for underserved communities. Monique excels at engaging stakeholders, building trusted relationships and mobilising people around shared goals. Her work is driven by a commitment to empowering people and creating lasting, positive change. As a trustee of Fathers United UK, she helps strengthen the partnerships and community connections at the heart of our work.
Cynthia Orija
Trustee
Cynthia works with children, and supporting their growth, learning and wellbeing is something she is truly passionate about. Bubbly and outgoing, she builds positive relationships with the children and families she works with, and brings warmth and enthusiasm to everything she does. A keen traveller, she loves experiencing new places and cultures, believing every journey is a chance to learn and grow. Dedicated and caring, Cynthia is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of the children she supports. As a trustee of Fathers United UK, she brings her frontline experience with children and families to the heart of our work.
How we are run
Fathers United UK is a community-led organisation, currently working towards charitable status. We are committed to running openly and responsibly, with clear roles, sound financial practice and decisions guided by the fathers and families we serve.
- Clear roles and responsibilities across the team
- Transparent handling of donations and grant funding
- Policies for safeguarding, data protection and equal opportunities
- Working towards registered charitable status
Our governing documents and policies are available to funders and partners on request. Contact us.
Keeping children and families safe
Safeguarding is central to everything we do. All activities involving children take place with appropriate supervision, consent and care.
- Khalifa Araba is our named safeguarding lead
- Consent confirmed for children before every event
- Volunteers briefed on safeguarding and conduct
- A clear route to raise a concern
Rooted in lived experience and community need
We listen first, speak plainly and build programmes around the real challenges fathers and families face. Our work is grounded in safeguarding, professionalism and transparent impact, so families, donors and partners can trust it.
Read our work and aims
See the need we respond to, who we serve and how we measure our impact.