Feedback

“I think that was probably the best training I’ve ever been to. Michael has made me go back and think about situations I’ve dealt with over the years and maybe how I’ll approach things differently next time.”

Head of Year 10, South Wales

“The training was relevant to my role. It was delivered perfectly and I look forward to embedding it here.”

Pastoral Support Worker, KS3. West Midlands

“I feel it has given me knowledge and my skills have improved by taking the course. I really enjoyed it. One of the best training sessions I’ve done, knowing how I can bring into the sessions at school.” Pastoral Support Lead, KS3 and KS4, Worcestershire

“Your presentation made our Master’s students consider what work needs to be done to support young men in their relationships, attitudes and behaviour and how there may be a lack of male role models in their lives giving them wisdom, advice and ‘another narrative’ of what their lives and relationships might look like. Our students said that they loved your straightforward presentation, with really deep messages. There were several aspects that gave them particular pause for thought:

• Loneliness and permissions in terms of masculinity
• How much boys and men need space to be listened to and to hear from other men
• The power of delivery from a male presenter to a male audience

Thank you very much indeed.” – Senior Lecturer in Violence Prevention, MA Course in Understanding Domestic & Sexual Violence, University of Worcester

“Michael is my go-to person for supporting young men. He gives our young men time and space to think really deeply about what influences them, the role of the peer group and their own mental health in a supportive but also gently challenging environment. Michael’s workshops have transformed relationships within friendship groups but also my ability to work and relate to them as a female teacher, as many of the professionals doing this work are.” – Head of PSE, Bridgend

“Our staff really enjoyed the training and found it useful. Pitch and pace perfect and clearly you have a lot of  expertise and experience to share with them to keep them engaged throughout the training and the follow up links and resources. Our staff are keen to start up some boys groups, one in Year 11 and one in Year 8.” P.T. Deputy Head, Lancs.

“Thanks again for a fantastic training session. I found it engaging, practical and concrete. I now feel confident enough to run the sessions on the ten dialogues with a group of boys and to share what I have learnt. The #10Dialogues resource is super-clear and extremely useful.” V.A. Head of Year 10, Surrey

“Staff really enjoyed it, it has sparked some interesting follow-on discussions already. The simple approach to working with groups of boys was really useful – this is certainly the next step for us.  We really like the reflective approach.” Assistant Head / Pastoral Lead, Worcs.

“Michael spoke to an audience of 200 trainees from within the Centre for Children and Families about  early gender messages and issues around language, as well as telling the audience about his work with boys & young men. Michael is a very engaging speaker and his keynote speech was fascinating. The students evaluated the session very positively and have used the content of the presentation in their assignments. I would highly recommend Michael as a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic speaker.” – Centre for Children and Families, University of Worcester

“Thank you for today, your insight, knowledge base and enthusiasm were genuinely inspiring. That was evidenced in what staff shared with you regarding their personal and professional experiences.  I ended the day full of ideas to take forward with our current service user groups and possibilities to explore for future provision and expansion of our Children and Young People team. I’ll be in touch again to schedule another session for new staff.” CW, Operations Manager. Manchester Women’s Aid

“Thank you for the training today. It was really insightful and I really value the importance of having these conversations, especially with young males. And there is a real value in males like yourself standing up, showing passion and working to make a difference.

It really helps that the tools you have provided can give some structure and guidance to having these conversations. Having worked in refuge for ten years I have worked with many young boys/teens where I think this would have been really helpful and I will go on to utilise these wherever possible in future.

I think the topics you have covered are important and relevant – I really like how the whole programme is put together.“ CH, Senior Reach Worker, The Pankhurst Trust

“Few of us have the opportunity to learn about relationships in a structured way, yet we are all learning from a variety of experiences and sources. This Men At Work programme provides boys and young men a space where they can exercise their individual agency to reflect, learn and make crucial decisions about what it means to ‘be a man’. All boys and young men deserve to have a choice about the values and beliefs they want to carry with them through life. I am excited for boys and young men who take part in this Men at Work Programme.” Sarah Wigley, Domestic Abuse Consultant / Trainer

“You have put important things that need change in an accessible way and one that will likely be accepted. It is really clear and you have targeted the key issues and identified any problems that might arise – such as defensiveness. Well done!” Gemma Aitchison, Founder – Yes Matters UK

“This is a timely, engaging and practical toolkit for engaging boys and young men in positive conversations about the world around them. In over 20 years of experience of working with men and their violence, the consistent response I have heard is ‘why haven’t I been encouraged the talk about this before?’. Well here is that opportunity – with a range of accessible materials, training and support to enable boys and young men to engage in this dialogue and make a positive contribution to those around them.” Alan Garner, Facilitator of Perpetrator Intervention Programmes

“This programme gives boys and young men the opportunity and process to look beyond the ever stronger cultural norms around Male behaviour to which they are routinely and consistently bombarded. This means not only the individual can have more informed choices but their relationships and the communities where they live can experience benefits as well. Schools and organisations which make this material accessible will be beacons of hope for a more equal and respectful society.” Anne Haynes, Author of ‘Becoming Respectful’, Senior Probation Officer and consultant with 30 years‘ experience

I just wanted to let you know how excellent this 12 dialogues training was. I could have done two days of this! I came out enthused and have recommended it to my colleagues. One of the best training sessions I’ve ever been on.

AR,  Community Engagement Officer, Health Improvement, Tameside

Thank you for some thought provoking training, it was good to have such open conversations.

CP, Children’s Service Manager, Barnardo’s, Swansea

I am delivering drugs and alcohol harm reduction workshops and plan to integrate sections of the dialogues in there to explore further how peer pressure/man rules interact with substance abuse.

WH, Glasgow

I’m finding everything you taught us and shared really useful.  Thanks again. 

SB, Structured Intervention Worker, Gang and Youth Violence Specialist, Dudley

A fantastic session I shall be recommending to others

RL, Registered Manager, Dove Care

Thank you for these resources and the excellent training. I thought it was fantastic.

CL, Education and Training Officer, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre

The course was brilliant. I’ve done nothing but rave about it to our Chief Officer. 

AC, Gorse Hill Studios, Trafford

Fantastic training. We’ve all been talking about how useful it was not just for the project in schools but across the organisation.

LR, Rural Media, Herefordshire

I found the session invaluable. It was really helpful to hear others’ views and share ideas around this subject. I’m excited to get going!

SD, Training Manager Hollie Gazzard Trust

Thank you for an insightful workshop yesterday, I learnt a lot and was challenged in a positive way.

SC, Youth Development Lead, King’s Trust

It was great and I know there is content I can pick up and use in schools – quite literally – tomorrow!

LN, Schools Project Manager Lucy Faithfull

I absolutely love the programme and everything it stands for

LP, Healthy Relationships Practitioner Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service

The session was fantastic – I really enjoyed it and it’s made me do a lot of reflecting since. The materials are fantastic – thank you!

 NQ, Director Natalie Q Inspire Ltd

An excellent experience. High quality training with connection at the heart of what we do.
AB, ROAR mentor

I found the training very useful. I will definitely be considering all of what has been discussed today when exploring ‘boy code’ with the YP I support. The training has provided some key conversational topics and areas to explore.

JH, Youth Development Worker Rochdale Connections Trust

I utilised (the Dialogues) with my group on Friday and honestly it really helped to facilitate a really productive conversation with the boys who were very willing to share and engage which was amazing!

SM, Healthy Relationships Support Worker, Lancaster

Thank you for the training. I found it really insightful and will definitely be used well within my sessions.

JL, Domestic Abuse Support Worker (Healthy Relationships) Lancs

The training was very relevant and useful to what we do within our organisation. I’m excited to implement what we were talking about with our lads.

C, Urban Devotion, Birmingham

I loved the non-judgmental, discussion-based approach to the work with boys and men. It feels like the other side of the coin to the education work we are doing around sexual violence in schools, and I have already recommended you to a school I work with.

JC, WMRSAC / Purple Leaf

This is an excellent resource that should be rolled out to all schools. Preventive strategies are an important part of safeguarding.

TC, Safe Schools Alliance