Man Up?

Our National Framework for Interventions (NFI) approved Man Up? programme explores masculinity and its impact on personal development and relationships. Made for young adults and men in both custodial and community settings, this programme encourages participants to explore societal norms and expectations surrounding masculinity. Through participatory creative learning techniques – including theatre, games and role-play – we encourage participants to critically assess traditional notions of masculinity and explore new perspectives.

While the programme is designed for delivery over three days – totalling 18 hours of content- we are adaptable to the diverse environments, needs and contexts of our participants and commissioners. At Bethlem Psychiatric Hospital, the programme was successfully extended over three weeks, accommodating a smaller group of men with complex support and learning needs. The inclusion of psychiatric nurses provided added support while maintaining the integrity of the core content and approach.

These adaptations not only highlight the flexibility of the “Man Up?” programme but also ensure it effectively meets varied group needs while holding true to its foundational approach. Participants have expressed profound gratitude for this programme’s impact, with one remarking, “This course saved my life.

Key Outcomes of the Programme

Understanding masculinity:

Participants gain insights into what it means to be a man, the roles men play, and the impact societal and cultural expectations have on their identities and behaviour
Personal development:

The programme encourages men to reflect on their goals, fears, and aspirations, revealing how their understanding of masculinity shapes their identities
Conflict and needs:

Participants learn to identify their own needs, understand how they attempt to meet them and recognise how unmet needs can lead to conflict. They also explore triggers for anger and aggression and how to manage these emotions constructively
Power and identity:

This aspect of the programme delves into different forms of power -physical, positional, personal -and examines their influence on male identity. Participants are encouraged to reflect on their role models and personal identities
Interactive learning:

A variety of activities, such as icebreakers, role plays, and group discussions actively engage participants, facilitating a rich learning experience
Presentation skills:

The course culminates in a final session where participants prepare and present their learnings to an invited audience, reinforcing their understanding while enhancing their communication skills

Programme Structure

Length:

3 days or 18 hours of content
Duration:

6 sessions, each lasting 2.5 hours.
Frequency:

Delivered on a full-time or part-time basis.
Group Size:

8 – 12 participants (14-18 year olds) or 10-16 participants (18 year olds or over).
Staff:

2 x Programme Facilitator.
Delivery Mode:

Quality assurance (train the trainer), co-delivery, and direct delivery models are available.

Testimonials

Get in touch

“I believe Man Up? has been the best course I’ve done. It’s helped me build my confidence and show my emotions more”

Participant at HMP Wandsworth.
“Honestly, this course has helped me in ways words can’t even describe”

Participant at YOI Wetherby.
“I would strongly advise any man to embark on this journey”

Participant at HMP Berwyn.

Impact and Evidence

Man Up? was evaluated in the double-blind peer-reviewed Journal of Criminal Psychology (Blagden and Perrin, 2017). They found a significant pre/post programme reduction in ‘toughness’ and increases in self-esteem and risk-taking perceptions, as well as participants’ positive reconstruction of what it is to be a ‘man’.

View Man Up? most recent impact reports:

Youth Offending Teams Settings – Final Report Prisons Settings – Interim Report