A father from County Durham is set to feature in a new BBC documentary that delves into the challenges and realities faced by young dads.
Joshua Race-Wiborg, 22, appears in Joe Swash: Forgotten Young Dads, which will air on BBC Three at 8pm on Monday, November 20. The hour-long programme follows actor and presenter Joe Swash as he meets four young fathers from across the UK, reflecting on his own experiences as a dad in his mid-twenties.
Swash hopes the documentary will spark broader conversations about masculinity, the importance of positive male role models, and the need to recognize, support, and celebrate young fathers.
Race-Wiborg is a dad to two-year-old twin girls, Autumn and Winter. He described his participation as “an amazing experience” and hopes it will highlight that young fathers are fully capable of being great parents. “Age doesn’t define someone’s ability to parent,” he said.
Alongside fatherhood, Joshua is in his first year of a Childhood Studies degree at the University of Sunderland and works full-time as a peer enabler for the North East Young Dads and Lads Project, a charity supporting fathers under 25, which recommended him for the documentary.
He shared some behind-the-scenes details, saying, “They came to film me at home with my girls and we went for a walk. I also went to London to film with the other selected dads, and we went fishing with Joe. He even attended my wedding at the Roker Hotel in July, along with the camera crew.”
Joshua reflected on the opportunities fatherhood has given him. “Being a young dad has opened doors I never imagined. Attending university is something I never thought possible, and studying this course is really exciting. I’m just at the start of my journey at Sunderland, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.”
Fay Cavagin, senior lecturer in childhood and primary education at the University of Sunderland, praised him, saying, “We’re very proud of Joshua. He brings incredible experience and skills, and we know he’ll make a real difference to children and families. He’s already sharing his experiences in class and helping change perceptions around young dads.”
“Everyone will be watching him on TV.”
Joe Swash: Forgotten Young Dads is produced by BBC Studios Entertainment Productions and will also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 6 am on Monday, November 20.