can spend valuable time with their children and each other discussing the pros and cons of fatherhood.

Mothers are also encouraged to participate in this event as the organisation feels both parents are important in the raising of a child.

Member of the organisation Roger Scotton said: "Last year we had between 40 and 50 people with little publicity.

"The problem this year is making sure people have somewhere to sleep. Not everyone stays for the whole weekend but we do encourage it.'' President Alvin Goulbourne said while on the island fathers, mothers and the kids will take part in several programmes.

"Both parents are invited to this retreat because they are both equally important. We want to make use of the isolation so couples or ex's can talk to each other.

"In one programme, children will discuss their concerns, the things they have in their families and the things they would like to see. They will also have a lot of fun,'' Mr. Simons said.

Mr. Goulbourne added: "This also allows children to see their parents getting along and being happy whether they are together or not.

"This bonding weekend will be a fun event. It is really nice to see how fathers bond with their children.'' The Fathers' Resource Centre came into existence after Mr. Goulbourne was watching a News and Views programme in February 1996.

"The topic was deadbeat dads and I called in to say that there needed to be an organisation to address some of the issues.

"I did not plan on organising it myself but the response was overwhelming; people were calling the show and me. No one else stepped up to the plate. We have been meeting every Monday since on the ground floor of the Government Administration building,'' he said.

He added: "A lot of men come to us and they are angry because they are miserable. We teach them, through conversation, to deal with it and get passed it and to work with the mother for the good of the children.'' Mr. Goulbourne said the group believes that ultimately a healthy marriage provides the ideal environment for a child -- but they recognise that it is not always possible.

Member Roger Scotton said: "Some weeks new people come to the meeting with immediate needs, they are hostile and they need to discuss their situation with men who understand them. This group is made up of all types of men -- black, white, white collar and blue collar -- and you don't need to have problems to be involved. You can be happily married and just want a place where you can talk.'' Mr. Goulbourne interjected: "As men, we don't talk to each other about our feelings. It is not considered manly. We are raised not to show our emotions because it was always considered as weakness.'' Mr. Scotton added that the group's heads are not professional counsellors but "we are all fathers and we have all been through different situations, we all come with stories.

"This group can be defined by what we are not -- which is a group that exists simply so men can get even with their ex-wives or girlfriends.'' Mr. Goulbourne said the organisation was also not a group for angry men which was a very important point for the public to realise.

"We believe in working with the mothers too. We believe that both parents are essential in a child's life. We also encourage our motto which is `supporting fathers supporting children because it is the children that are the important issue.'' He added that some of the fathers that come to the meetings are on the verge of giving up on their children but "if they were really ready to do that they would have never come to us.'' Although still young, The Fathers' Resource Centre has reached out to other organisations such as the Coalition for the Protection of Children and the Women's Resource Centre, to establish a supportive relationship.

Mr. Goulbourne said families need to be aware of the importance of a fathers' role with children and the mothers' role.

"There are some men who did not have their fathers around (and) who just do not know how to be a father. They did not have that role model, so how are they to know what being a model father is,'' Mr. Goulbourne said.

He added: "Father's are the ones who teach men how to deal with male aggression so he is less likely to exhibit male aggression against a woman.'' Member C.K. Simons said: "When a daughter grows up without a father she is less likely to place importance on fatherhood like her mother did.'' Mr. Goulbourne added: "For example, daughters whose fathers did not play a part in their lives have been said to exhibit depression, feelings of low self-esteem, and early promiscuity later in life.

"Fathers are models for their daughters teaching them how they should be treated by a man.'' The organisation recently obtained charitable status which Mr. Goulbourne says gives them certain obligations which have to be met -- such as raising money.

"This is important because what we have been doing so far has been funded out of our own pockets and with the demand we just can't do that anymore.'' Mr. Scotton added: "We couldn't grow as an organisation without legal status in terms of raising funds. This also allows us to be able to work with other charities.'' He also said the charity desperately needs money to hire staff and continue programmes.

Mr. Scotton concluded: "We need permanent lasting programmes to bring about permanent lasting change.'' FATHERLY FELLOWS -- These men are the organisational heads behind the Fathers' Resource Centre, a group which aims to encourage men to discuss their feelings and be better fathers. Pictured from left are CK Simons, Alvin Goulbourne (president) and Roger Scotton.