background

In Northern Ireland, as elsewhere, many young men are struggling to find their place in a world experiencing rapid social and economic changes. This has had a major impact on young men’s expectations, behaviour, education, mental health and employability. Subsequently young men are often disillusioned and frustrated and actions can lead to violence, suicide or risk-taking behaviour.

YouthAction Northern Ireland has been developing non-traditional approaches to work with young men since the early 1990s. The agency has sought to develop partnerships with young men throughout all the projects they deliver. Over the last ten years, we have refined our way of working, learning from each project as we go.

The work initially began by offering training to youth workers who were finding it increasingly difficult to engage with young men, many of whom were outside traditional Youth Service Provision. In 1996/97 YouthAction produced two major publications: “Young Men’s Health – A Youth Work Concern” and “Young Men Talking – Voices from Belfast.”

This led in 1997 to the appointment of a full-time worker for three years, funded through YouthNet to develop work with young men living in inner city and rural areas of Northern Ireland. This was carried out in partnership with local workers and agencies that were experiencing difficulty engaging young men beyond bravado and banter.

In 2000 YouthAction set up the Work with Young Men Unit specifically to develop and implement clear strategies for the development of young men’s work throughout Northern Ireland. The Work with Young Men Unit works strategically with young men and community organisations to:

• Gain a better understanding of masculinity and its impact o young men
• Carry out research and pilot projects on areas of specific relevance to young men’s lives i.e. violence, mental health, sexuality
• Create opportunities for young men to be heard and their issues recognised
• Work in partnership with locally based initiatives
• Increase relevant knowledge and skills amongst those who are developing work with young men
• Inform policy makers and curriculum on issues affecting young men

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