A conference tailored for frontline workers, youth practitioners, educators, and allied professionals to explore the challenges facing young men today.
Join us to hear from national speakers, share in inspiring case studies, and gain insights from lived experiences on the evolving perspectives of young men’s masculinity in society.
Attendees will access practical resources and innovative approaches for supporting young men across various settings, with opportunities to network with fellow professionals from youth work, education, and other key sectors.
Explore a range of exhibitors showcasing tools and resources, and connect with colleagues to discuss shared challenges and collaborative solutions in providing essential support for young men.
When: 19th November 2024
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
About this event
Following five successful years of International Men’s Day events, the 2024 What About the Boys? conference is aimed at creating real change for young men on the Fylde Coast. This year’s conference co designed by young men invites frontline workers, youth workers, educators, community leaders, and statutory services to come together and develop a comprehensive strategy for young men on the Fylde Coast.
The event will focus on addressing critical issues, addressing some of the key impacts in communities, in the wake of the Southport riots such as the rise of extremism, knife crime, mental health and well-being, and identity, alongside young male suicidal ideation and victims of crime and grooming Through interactive workshops, attendees will leave with practical resources to implement in classrooms, youth groups, and the wider community.
What About the Boys? will also ask for a Call to Action and a strategy for change to support young men moving forward.
We are excited to welcome an outstanding line-up of guest speakers at What About the Boys?. Our speakers include Michael Conroy from Men at Work C.I.C, Steve Walker from The Common Room, para-athlete Josh Landmann, and the Youth Focus North East Peer Action Collective. Together, they bring a wealth of experience and knowledge, offering a diverse range of perspectives to help shape the conversation around young men on the Fylde Coast.
Key Topics:
Tackling the root causes of extremism
Combating knife crime and youth violence
Supporting young men’s mental health and well-being
Exploring the role of male identity in a coastal area
Examine young men as victims of crime and their voices
Meet the guest speakers
Michael Conroy is founder/director of Men At Work CIC, which trains professionals in various sectors in having constructive dialogues with boys and young men about what the world invites them to believe, do and want - as men - and the implications this has for women and girls. The work is strengths-based and founded on developing the twin capacities of critical thinking and empathy.
Since 2021 almost 3000 professionals across Education, Social Work, Early Help, Mental Health, Youth Justice and Youth Work have taken part in the '12 Dialogues' training and many have facilitated regular, ongoing sessions with boys and young men of diverse demographics in a wide range of settings.
In addition to facilitating the 12 Dialogues training, Michael is a trainer and facilitator in the Becoming Respectful programme for adult men who have used abusive behaviours in relationships and want to change.
Steve Walker has been involved in youth work since 1992 and has worked across the UK and in Europe in a broad range of youth work and informal education settings. As an academic and senior leader in organisational development around community and youth work, Steve has had the privilege of working with young people and communities to facilitate change in successive roles.
Taking on a training role was a significant milestone for Steve, and this created opportunity to enable generations of youth workers and in areas of practice to increase the value of informal education. Being a part of the journey of youth workers continues to be an important aspect of his work.
With a passion for social justice for young people using education and training as a vehicle to support development in the sector.
Kevin is Chief Executive with Youth Focus: North East (formerly Regional Youth Work Unit North East). Kevin has over 30 years' management and senior practitioner experience within both the statutory and voluntary youth sector including centre based, outreach, detached and schools work.
Workshops
Our What About The Boys? conference offers a variety of engaging workshops designed to address the challenges facing young men today. From exploring online misogyny to trauma-informed practice and tackling violence through peer research, these sessions provide valuable insights and practical tools for educators, youth workers, and community leaders. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in workshops that explore critical issues such as masculinity, literacy, and the impact of substances like ketamine, ensuring a comprehensive approach to supporting young men.
Workshop: Educating young people about the impact and influence of pornography
This workshop aims to equip professionals with practical tips, ideas and information to engage young people in the debate and understand the difference between pornography and real-life relationships.
Delivered by Vanessa Rogers, youthworker author and trainer
Workshop: Exploring masculinity through the artistic lens
A workshop that will blend the exploration of attitudes and values towards masculinity, generating conversations using art and photography.
Delivered by Henry Iddon and Brendan Bunting
Workshop: Trauma informed practice
Join the LVRN for an insightful workshop led by Nigel Banks, an expert in trauma-informed approaches. Discover how trauma affects us all, explore the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on brain development, and gain valuable insights into the connection between trauma, gang culture and child exploitation.
The session will equip you with an understanding of trauma’s role in shaping lives and communities.
Delivered by Nigel Banks
Workshop: Getting It Right: Facilitating Constructive Engagement with Boys and Young Men about Being Safe and Safe to be Around
Exploring how making a positive start, avoiding pitfalls and being confident that having boy/young man-specific conversations is an act not of criticism but of constructive support.
Delivered by Michael Conroy Founder of Men at work CIC.
Workshop: Peer Action Collective - Young Peer Researchers tackling violence
Exploring an exemplar case study, employing young men as peer researchers to tackle youth violence.
Delivered by Youth Focus North East Peer Action Collective
Workshop: The Rising Challenges of Ketamine Impact of Ketamine
Examining the rising challenges of Ketamine increase use by young men in our communities.
Delivered by Reece Richards, Operations Director We are with you Charity.
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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.