Giving young men a respected voice in society. 

Youth work with young men supports young men to become leaders in their communities and assists youth and community organisations to take different approaches to their work.

We strive to:
  • Create opportunities for young men to have their voices heard.
  • Gain a better understanding of masculinity and its impact on young men.
  • Carry out research and pilot projects on areas of specific relevance to young men’s lives, such as violence, mental and emotional wellbeing.
  • Work in partnership with locally based organisations.
  • Increase relevant knowledge and skills amongst those who work with young men.
  • Inform policy makers and curriculum on issues affecting young men.
“We get young men volunteering in their communities in a way that they didn’t know they could. And all the time, you’re encouraging them to reflect on their experiences and what impact it makes on their lives. What we find is that young men are coming out the other end of these experiences with a much better idea of who they are, who they want to be, and how they can open up even more possibilities for themselves.” 
- Jonny Ashe, Young Men’s Development Worker

Everyday Life – Young Men and Violence

Young men tell us that “violence is part of everyday life”. It is recreational, sectarian, cyber, or domestic. It happens between individuals and in groups; fuelled by alcohol and risk taking behaviour and flares up in their public and private spaces.

Violence is a significant barrier to their learning, life and work. It creates barriers to good relationships within and across communities; to achieving in school; in communities and work and seriously impacts on mental health. Young men tread a precarious path of being both a victim and perpetrator of violence. The Everyday Life initiative will draw on young men’s experiences and lessons from previous work to:-
  • build leadership and work skills in young men;
  • build better connections within communities between young men and community leaders, parents, partners and local employers;
  • create positive role models and pathways for young men into work and community life;
  • reduce violent behaviour and build techniques for avoiding conflict;
  • help build resilience, to cope with the challenges of everyday living.

“The project has helped me find out more about what it is like to be a man. I think that it has worked as I now know more about myself and who I am”
- Young man aged 16  


Northern Ireland National Citizen Service (NCS)   – Armagh; Fermanagh & Newry

NI NCS is a partnership with Co-Operation Ireland, Belfast YMCA, Start360, Volunteer Now, St Columb’s Park House and YouthWorks NI to provide young people aged 15 – 17 years old, from all backgrounds, the opportunity and support to take on new challenges, learn new skills and make a difference in their communities. NCS in Northern Ireland is supported by the Northern Ireland Executive through the Department for Communities.

“I have grown as a person, becoming more confident in myself and my future hopes. I have learned many new things and NCS has provided me with opportunities I would never have had.”  
- Young man aged 16  

Are you a young man interested in volunteering?

Are you a male aged 16 to 25 years old? Can you commit between 5 to 15 hours a week to develop opportunities for other young people in your local community? If yes, then the Young Men’s Volunteer Scheme is for you!

Young male volunteers have been essential to the development of our ongoing work with young men in local communities. We aim to positively engage and support them to become active leaders and role models within in their local communities. Volunteers will develop the skills; experience and undertake training to engage other young men on important issues that dominate their lives. Young male volunteers reflect on and explore issues such as the concept of masculinity and how their perception of masculinity impacts how they view themselves and the world around them; the concept of working with young men and identifying the key skills of being a young male leader.

Volunteers are inducted into the project and can avail of accredited training, invitations to conferences, seminars and celebration events that are relevant to their own progression. Travel costs and subsistence will be covered. For many of the young men, this is the first step towards a future career in youth work. The volunteer scheme provides hands on experience of working with young men alongside ongoing support and sign posting to new opportunities. In 2014, an external Social Return on Investment (SROI) of the Young Male Volunteer Scheme was carried out by Guage. The Social Return on Investment was valued at £15 for every £1 invested by the Big Lottery Fund. The benefits for young men included: 
  • Improved understanding of masculinity;
  • Skills for employment;
  • Improved levels of confidence and self-esteem;
  • Becoming community role models;
  • Improved physical and mental health;
  • Improved social interaction; and
  • Better cross community engagement.

“Pretty much life changing. Gave me the confidence, knowledge and support to do what I really want to. I hope it can do the same for everyone else yet to do it.”

“It’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. It has made me more open minded, I have met new people from South Armagh and East Belfast and I have got great support from the workers who ensured that they got the best out of me.”
Share by: