Now in our eighth year, What About the Boys? returns in 2026 with an ambitious vision: the official launch of the Fylde Coast Boys Impact Hub.
For seven years, the What About the Boys? conference has created space to listen to boys and young men, challenge assumptions and bring people together around the issues that affect their lives.
This year, we want to take that conversation further.
United Youth Alliance, working with colleagues from the Coastal Youth Alliance partnership, is bringing together colleagues from across the Fylde Coast and nationally to explore a shared question:
How can we work differently, and more effectively, alongside boys and young men to improve their outcomes and create lasting change?
The conference will bring together young men, youth workers, teachers, police officers, academics, health professionals, researchers, voluntary sector leaders and others working with and for young people. It will be a space to share experience, challenge thinking and explore the principles, approaches and conditions that enable meaningful work alongside boys and young men.
At the heart of the conference will be the importance of working with young men, not simply doing things to or for them. We will explore what genuine co-design looks like in practice, how youth voice can influence decisions and services, and how organisations and sectors can work collectively to create better outcomes.
The conference will also mark the launch of the Boys’ Impact Hub, which will begin as a test-and-learn pilot in Wyre, co-designed with young men themselves.
The pilot will provide an opportunity to put the principles explored through the conference into practice — developing, testing and evaluating approaches alongside young men and the professionals who support them. Our ambition is to learn from this work, build towards a wider Fylde Coast approach, and connect our learning with the national Boys’ Impact Hub, contributing to a wider movement for change.
This is therefore more than a conference. It is an opportunity to connect people, share learning, build relationships and collectively consider what needs to change — and how we can make that change happen.
Whether you are working locally, regionally or nationally, if you are interested in improving outcomes for boys and young men, we want you to be part of the conversation.
The Fylde Coast Boys Impact Hub will provide a shared space for organisations to develop, test and evaluate innovative approaches to supporting boys and young men, while creating opportunities to share learning, evidence and best practice across the Fylde Coast.
Come and listen. Come and challenge. Come and share. Come and help shape what happens next.
When: 19th November 2026
Time: 9am till 4:30pm
Location: Village Hotel Blackpool
This conference is designed for:
- Frontline workers and youth workers
- Teachers and educators
- Police and community safety teams
- Local authority staff
- Organisations working with young people
- Allied workforce professionals invested in the well-being of young men on the Fylde Coast
- Businesses who want to invest in young people and support a local workforce
Supported by
Built on the Taking Boys Seriously Principles
The 2026 conference will be underpinned by all ten principles of the Taking Boys Seriously framework:
#1 Recognise the Primacy of Relationship
#2 Demonstrate Dignity and Respect
#3 Utilise a Strengths-Based Approach to Learning
#4 Challenge and Affirm Masculine Identities
#5 Promote Positive Mental Health
#6 Identify Blocks to Boys Learning
#7 Connect Boys Learning to Context
#8 Engage Meaningfully with Boys
#9 Enable Creative Learning Environments
#10 Value the Voice of Boys
These principles will act as the foundation for the Hub’s development, helping practitioners explore how boys and young men experience services, education, communities and relationships, while identifying practical solutions that can be tested and scaled across the Fylde Coast.
Watch what happened in Previous Years...
In November 2025, UYA brought together more than 120 professionals, practitioners and young people for What About the Boys?, a day of honest conversation focused on the challenges facing boys and young men. Through keynote speakers, workshops, round-table discussions and a dedicated Young Men’s Hackathon, the event explored issues including mental health, masculinity, crime and violence, neurodiversity, racism and the influence of social media, while putting young people’s voices at the heart of the conversation and strengthening collaboration across the Fylde Coast and beyond.
Why Attend?
This conference is an opportunity to be part of something bigger than a single event.
Delegates will:
- Help co-design the Fylde Coast Boys Impact Hub.
- Shape priorities for future research, practice and policy.
- Contribute to a local “test and learn” pilot focused on improving outcomes for boys and young men.
- Learn how the ten Taking Boys Seriously principles can be embedded into frontline practice.
- Explore evidence-based approaches from education, youth work, community development and public services.
- Collaborate with colleagues from across sectors to develop new solutions to local challenges.
- Join a growing learning community committed to sharing knowledge and impact across the Fylde Coast.
Keynote Speakers and Workshops
Our conference will bring together research, practice and lived experience, with speakers including:
Dr Alex Bower, Dr Alex Blower is an author, researcher and thought leader in education. Since completing his doctoral research which focused inequality and access to university for white working-class boys in the West Midlands in 2020, Alex has been a regular speaker at national and international conferences, talking on issues related to inequality and the experience of young working-class men in education. In 2023, he founded Boys’ Impact, a UK wide network of educators who are committed to taking an evidence-based approach in closing the gap in educational outcomes for young men who are eligible for Free School Meals. Regularly commenting on issues related to masculinity and inequality in education for media outlets such as the BBC, LBC and The Times, his first monograph, Lost Boys: How Education is Failing Young Working-Class Men, was released in July.
Andy Hamilton, Dr Andy Hamilton is a lecturer in Community Youth Work at Ulster University and a researcher with the Taking Boys Seriously (TBS) project. Prior to joining TBS, Andy worked as a centre-based youth worker in Belfast, developing programmes and mentoring work with boys and young men.
Dr Raj Patel, Dr Rajesh Patel is a youth and community worker and lecturer with over 40 years of experience. Beginning ‘on the door’ as a volunteer he later became a youth work manager specialising in youth arts work. He moved on to teach youth & community work in HE for over twenty years where he writes about creativity in learning and reflective practice, the subject of his PhD. Rajesh also researches masculinity in South Asian communities; youth work and health. Rajesh is currently the chair of Community Arts North West the national portfolio lead for arts work with refugees and asylum-seekers.
Susan Morgan, Susan Morgan is an academic at Ulster University within the School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences. She is the Principal Investigator for the Taking Boys Seriously (TBS) research project, a longitudinal participatory action study aimed at addressing disparities in educational outcomes for boys from working-class communities. The research adopts an educational ecosystem perspective to examine how compounded disadvantage—including poverty, conflicting constructions of masculinity, and educational approaches—shapes boys’ educational experiences. Crucially, it goes beyond analysis to identify and develop the principles and practices that actively enable boys to flourish, offering practical pathways for meaningful and sustained change.
- Donna London‑Hill, Donna London-Hill is an experienced educational leader and researcher, currently working as the Research Engagement Lead for Boys’ Impact. With more than three decades of experience across secondary and multi‑school contexts, she is known for her values‑led leadership, relational practice, and commitment to improving outcomes for working‑class boys and young men. Donna is currently undertaking an Education Doctorate at the University of the West of England, where her research explores boys’ agency, belonging, and identity through ethical, participatory approaches that elevate pupil voice.
Alongside keynote presentations, delegates will take part in interactive workshops, action learning sets and collaborative design sessions focused on translating evidence into practical action.
Sam’s Journey by UYA – Supporting Healthy Relationships and Young Men
Sam’s Journey is a youth-led resource designed to help practitioners, teachers and school staff explore the challenges young men face. Using a fictional character, Sam, the resource encourages safe, non-judgemental discussions around healthy relationships, consent, masculinity, emotional wellbeing and online behaviours. This practical workshop introduces interactive tools and explores how Sam’s Journey can support RSHE delivery and meaningful conversations with young people.
Taking Boys Seriously by Susan Morgan & Andy Hamilton – Using research to inform practice
What gets measured matters in education. 20 years of the Taking Boys Seriously (TBS) research tells us we are measuring the wrong things. Participants will be invited to critically reflect on the purpose of education and engage with new measures that prioritise relational approaches, empowering practices, and critical engagement with masculinities. Participants will be invited to engage with the Boys’ and Young Men’s Quadrant, a practical resource for embedding gender-conscious relational education with boys.
From Memes to Mindsets by Dr Alex Blower – Masculinity in the Digital Age
This session addresses one of the most urgent and complex challenges facing schools today. Participants explore how ideas about masculinity develop, how online influencers and the manosphere shape beliefs, and how misogynistic narratives spread and gain traction. Grounded in safeguarding and prevention, the session helps staff understand the impact on boys’ wellbeing, relationships and behaviour, while also considering the wider implications for girls and school culture. It equips schools to respond calmly, confidently and proportionately therefore supporting pupils to think critically rather than reactively.
Top Bloke by Think Forward in partnership with Leeds Beckett University, : Playing with masculinity
Playing with Masculinity is an interactive workshop exploring how gamification can support the Taking Boys Seriously research agenda by creating engaging, creative spaces for conversations about masculinity, identity and role models. Using the Top Bloke card game, participants will explore the influence of online masculinity influencers, consider what it means to be a “top bloke” and reflect on how games can help youth and educational workers challenge and affirm masculine identities. The session aims to equip participants with a practical resource and new ideas for facilitating meaningful, open conversations with boys and young men, while gathering feedback on how the game can be developed and used in practice.
And more to be announced..
From Conversation to Collective Action
The launch of the Fylde Coast Boys Impact Hub represents a unique opportunity to bring together research, practice and lived experience.
Whether you work in education, youth work, policing, health, academia or community development, your knowledge and expertise are needed to help shape a shared vision for boys and young men across the Fylde Coast.
Together, we can build stronger relationships, challenge harmful stereotypes, promote positive mental health, remove barriers to participation and learning, create more meaningful opportunities for boys and young men, and ensure their voices remain at the heart of change.
Highlights from Previous Year’s Delegates
Buy Tickets Here
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FAQs
Who is this event for?
What About the Boys? is aimed at frontline workers, youth practitioners, teachers, police, community leaders, local authority staff, and allied professionals who work with or support boys and young men. Businesses interested in supporting local communities are also welcome.
Can young people attend?
This conference is designed for professionals and practitioners. Young people have been directly involved in shaping the content and workshops, and some will contribute through co-design and facilitation.
Do I need to book workshops in advance?
After registering, you’ll receive an email with a link to select your workshops. Spaces are limited and filled on a first-come basis, so completing the form early helps secure your preferred sessions.
What is the Marketplace of Ideas?
The Marketplace of Ideas is an exhibition space where organisations and projects showcase their work with boys and young men. It’s a chance to discover resources, learn about innovative approaches, and build partnerships.
What is the Call to Action?
At the end of the day, all delegates will contribute to a collective Call to Action – a strategy for change to improve support for boys and young men across the Fylde Coast and beyond. This is your opportunity to shape real solutions and next steps.
Will I receive resources or materials?
Yes. Many workshops provide practical tools and resources you can take back to your setting. Additional digital materials and summaries will be shared with delegates after the event.
Is lunch provided?
Yes, refreshments and lunch are included in your ticket price. Please indicate any dietary requirements when booking.
Can I exhibit at the event?
A limited number of exhibition spaces are available in the Marketplace of Ideas. Please contact United Youth Alliance for details or register your interest here.
Where is the event taking place?
The conference will be held at the Village Hotel, Blackpool, with easy access by road and public transport. Full joining instructions will be provided after booking.
Exhibitor Opportunities at What About The Boys?
Join us as an exhibitor at the What About The Boys? conference, where you’ll have the chance to showcase your resources, services, and tools to a targeted audience of educators, frontline workers, and community leaders.