Examples of interventions with men and boys

Below is a list of organisations that were recommended by participants during the research project as examples of positive interventions with men and boys in the UK. Inclusion here does not, however, represent endorsement by Durham University or the Government Equalities Office. The list is not intended to be comprehensive, but to illustrate a sample of the range of work being done with or related to men and boys and gender norms in the UK.

Early childhood

• Early Education - national charity supporting early years practitioners with training, resources and professional networks, and campaigning for quality education for the youngest children. https://www.early-education.org.uk
• Let Toys be Toys - campaign calling on toy and publishing industries to stop limiting children’s interests by promoting some toys and books as only suitable for girls, and others only for boys. http://www.lettoysbetoys.org.uk
• Men into Childcare York - network and support group aiming to encourage more men to choose childcare as a career option. https://www.men-into-childcare.org/
• Men in the Early Years (MITEY) - campaign and grassroots national network providing accessible information, resources and support for men interested in, or already working in, early years careers. https://www.miteyuk.org

Education

• Changing Relations - an art-based education and training Community Interest Company that challenges thinking around gender norms, gender equality and healthy relationships, using creative methods to provide original educational and training resources. http://www.changingrelations.co.uk
• Everyday Sexism project - catalogues instances of sexism experienced on a day to day basis. https://www.everydaysexism.com
• Lifting Limits - provides educators with the skills and resources to recognise and address gender bias. Whole-school approach integrates gender equality into the school curriculum, ethos and routines: equipping staff and pupils to recognise, discuss and challenge stereotypes and inequalities. https://www.liftinglimits.org.uk
• Sapere - national charity supporting Philosophy for Children (P4C). Promotes philosophical enquiry and reflection in education by providing high-quality P4C training and sustaining P4C practice through continuous professional development. https://www.sapere.org.uk
• Wise Guys Training - supports those who work with boys and men to understand and engage with them more effectively. Provides workshops and training sessions. https://wiseguys.training
• Gender Action - a schools award programme which promotes a whole-school approach to challenging stereotypes and putting gender equality at the heart of policy and practice. https://www.genderaction.co.uk

Young men

• Future Men - (formerly Working With Men) specialist charity that supports boys and men along the path to becoming dynamic future men, whilst addressing stereotypes around masculinity and engaging in the wider conversation of what it means to be a man. Provides structured school programmes, youth hubs, individual one-to-one sessions, outreach work, support and advocacy. https://futuremen.org
• Beyond Equality - (formerly Good Lad Initiative) mission to promote positive, gender equal relationships; transform the behaviours, attitudes and skills of men and boys; and motivate them to become agents of positive change within their communities. Provide workshops to universities, schools and workplaces to engage men and boys in conversations about gender. https://www.beyondequality.org
• YouthAction Northern Ireland - a leading youth work charity. Aims to create opportunities for young men to have their voices heard; gain a better understanding of masculinity and its impact on young men; carry out research and pilot projects; work in partnership with locally based organisations; increase relevant knowledge and skills amongst those who work with young men; and inform policy makers and curriculum on issues affecting young men. https://www.youthaction.org

Fatherhood

• Dad’s Rock - aims to improve outcomes for children across Scotland to ensure the best start in life by providing support to dads and families, through workshops, playgroups, work in schools, and mentoring for young dads. https://www.dadsrock.org.uk
• Dads Work - a community project in East Lothian working with fathers and male care givers. It provides support groups, positive parenting classes, workshops on the role of fathers, home visits, trips and outings for fathers and their children. http://www.dadswork.co.uk
• Dope Black Dads - a digital safe space for fathers who wish to discuss their experiences of being black, a parent and masculinity in the modern world. https://www.dopeblackdads.com
• Father’s Network Scotland - works with a wide range of organisations to help them support dads. Offers a range of services including training, consultancy, events, research and media work. http://www.fathersnetwork.org.uk
• Fatherhood Institute - national think-tank which provides research on fathers and their impact on children and mothers; reports on and develops approaches to engaging with fathers mainly in the health, education and family sectors; offers training, consultancy and publications on father-inclusive practice; and lobbies for changes in law, policy and practice. http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org
• Lads Need Dads - offers a male-led group Mentoring Programme; bush-craft survival training and outdoor activities; ongoing support and life-skills training; leadership and peer mentoring. https://www.ladsneeddads.org
• Yorkey Dads - aims to create a safe, engaging and supportive environment for dads, grandads, male carers and dads-to-be, and to connect dads in and around the York area through meet ups, activities, events and online support. https://yorkeydads.wixsite.com/yorkeydads

Older men

• Age UK - the country's largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life, and providing companionship, advice and support for older people who need it most. Have initiated research and campaigns about older men’s experiences. https://www.ageuk.org.uk
• Men's Sheds Association - provides support and guidance to individuals and groups across the UK in starting and managing Men’s Sheds. Raises awareness of the social and health benefits of Men’s Sheds in reducing isolation, loneliness and in empowering local communities. https://www.menssheds.org.uk

Men’s health

• Andy’s Man Club - groups for men across the UK to talk about mental health issues. Creators of the #ItsOKtoTalk campaign. http://www.andysmanclub.co.uk
• Being Mankind - aims to use men’s stories to ignite conversations among young people around the meaning of masculinity, humanity and equality. https://www.beingmankind.org
• Brothers in Arms - awareness-raising website to represent men in Scotland and start the conversation about male suicide through digital tech, films and social media. https://www.brothersinarmsscotland.co.uk
• Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - charity dedicated to preventing male suicide. Provides a free and confidential helpline and webchat, supportive spaces in workplaces, universities, pubs, clubs and prisons across the country, and campaigns to spread awareness of suicide. http://www.thecalmzone.net
• Heads Together - a mental health initiative which combines a campaign to tackle stigma with fundraising for a new mental health services. Programmes include: workplace wellbeing; mentally healthy schools; working with the armed forces community; mental health innovations; and supporting maternal mental health. https://www.headstogether.org.uk
• Men’s Health Forum - national charity undertaking research; raising awareness (e.g. through Men’s Health Week); advocating for men’s health; sharing and encouraging good practice; and providing health information and advice. https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk
• Men's Development Network - works with men in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland at various levels including one-to-one, developmental, parenting, behaviour change group work, training, phone line support and awareness raising. Projects include the Men’s Development Programme, Men’s Health Programme, Mend Domestic Violence Intervention Programme, Men’s Advice Line and Men’s Counselling Service. https://mens-network.net

Gay, bisexual and transgender men

• Galop - gives advice and support to LGBT+ people who have experienced hate crime, sexual violence or domestic abuse. Also supports lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people who have had problems with the police or have questions about the criminal justice system. http://www.galop.org.uk
• LGBT Foundation - national charity delivering advice, support and information services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities. https://lgbt.foundation
• Switchboard - provides a one-stop listening service for LGBT+ people on the phone, by email and through instant messaging. https://switchboard.lgbt

Violence and abuse

• Caring Dads - a group intervention programme for men who have abused or neglected their children or exposed them to domestic violence. https://www.caringdads.org
• Glow - charity working throughout Staffordshire to end relationship abuse. Includes education programmes (Relationships without Fear), and a support service for men. https://www.findtheglow.org.uk/home/
• Mankind Initiative - helpline and support for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence across the UK. http://www.mankind.org.uk
• Men’s Advice Line - confidential helpline for men experiencing domestic violence from a partner or ex-partner (or from other family members). http://www.mensadviceline.org.uk
• Mentors in Violence Prevention Scotland - a peer mentoring programme using the bystander approach that gives young people the chance to explore and challenge the attitudes, beliefs and cultural norms that underpin gender-based violence, bullying and other forms of violence. https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/mvpscotland/
• Respect - UK domestic abuse charity, leading the development of safe and effective work with perpetrators, with young people who are abusive, and with male victims. Offers accreditation of specialist services; provides training for individuals and organisations working in the sector; works in partnership with others to innovate and develop practice; lobbies influencers to improve policy and practice; supports research and fundraising. Also runs Men’s Advice Line and the Respect Phoneline. http://respect.uk.net
• Respect Phoneline - confidential helpline for perpetrators of domestic abuse who want to change their behaviour. https://respectphoneline.org.uk
• Survivors UK - information, support and counselling for men and boys who have been raped or sexually abused. http://www.survivorsuk.org
• White Ribbon UK - part of the global movement to end male violence against women. Works with men and boys to challenge male cultures that lead to harassment, abuse and violence. The White Ribbon Accreditation programme ensures organisations take a strategic approach to ending male violence against women. https://www.whiteribbon.org.uk
• Zero Tolerance - a Scottish charity working to tackle the causes of violence against women and girls by promoting gender equality and challenging attitudes which normalise violence and abuse. https://www.zerotolerance.org.uk