At Playgroup NSW, we know that raising children takes a village – and playgroup is often where that village begins. While the little ones laugh, learn and grow through play, playgroups also offer something just as powerful for parents and carers: connection, community, and a sense of belonging.
Playgroup isn’t just a place to play – it’s one of the most impactful social networks for families in the early years.
That’s why we’re so excited to be teaming up with Man With A Pram, founded by Thomas and Kate Docking. Born from their own lived experience, this powerful movement brings families together to tackle isolation in the early years and raise much-needed funds for perinatal mental health. Read the Man with a Pram story of impact, highlighting the experience of father and Man With A Pram community member Tom Fagernes.
Man With a Pram : How One Walk Changed Everything
When Tom Fagernes moved to Australia, he carried with him a deep love of adventure and the idea of starting a family. Stepping into fatherhood for the first time, thousands of kilometres from relatives and lifelong friends, he quickly learned how isolating early parenthood can be and how that can take a real toll.
Without the familiar support of family and community, Tom experienced what many new fathers do: a sense of invisibility, uncertainty, and disconnection during the perinatal period. As the spotlight rightly focused on mother and baby, Tom’s mental and emotional load grew heavy. But what affected him, also began to affect his family—because when dads are disconnected, the whole family feels it.
Then came Man With A Pram.
That first walk—pushing a pram alongside other dads—opened a door Tom didn’t know he needed. He and his wife Kine found family, connection, conversation, and community. It wasn’t just about being seen as a father (and mother for Kine); it was about sharing the journey with dads who “get it”.
Through Man With A Pram, Tom and Kine met dads and families who shared similar journeys, and those casual connections became lasting friendships. He built a local network of families that he and his partner could lean on, that his daughters could grow up around. The impact went beyond weekend walks—it reshaped his family’s everyday community.
With the right support, Tom’s mental health began to strengthen. His relationship deepened as he became more confident and connected in his role. His wife Kine felt more supported, less alone, and more understood. Together, they built a shared parenting rhythm that nurtured their bond and their connection with their children.
Tom’s daughters began to grow up surrounded by a community that normalised involved, caring, emotionally available fathers. Research shows that this kind of father engagement supports stronger attachment, better emotional regulation, and positive cognitive development in children—and Tom is living proof.
Today, Tom leads Man With A Pram events and Dads Group programs across the country. He brings the same heart to the work that he brought to that first walk, helping other fathers find their place, and helping families find their village.
Because Man With A Pram isn’t just about dads. It’s about whole families. It’s about perinatal mental health for both parents. It’s about stronger relationships, thriving children, and communities where no one has to raise a child alone.
Sometimes, all it takes is one pram, one step, and one open invitation—to change everything.
To find your tribe at your local playgroup – click here.
To start your local walk or learn more about Man With a Pram – click here.
