Nurturing Positive Masculinity

At Gosh Boys, we deliver dynamic, thought-provoking workshops and training programs for schools, education providers, and organisations. Our mission is to empower boys, young men, and the professionals who support them to foster positive, authentic masculinity.

With over 25 years of hands-on experience, we work directly with boys and young men aged 9 upwards, helping them build the confidence, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness needed to thrive in every area of life. Our approach lays the foundation for them to grow into respectful partners, loyal friends, nurturing fathers, and engaged members of their communities.

Whether you're an educator, mentor, or organisation looking to make a meaningful impact, our programs are designed to inspire lasting change.

Our Services

  • We provide a range of age-appropriate assemblies and classroom sessions tailored for boys and young men across all key stages. These sessions are designed to complement your school’s pastoral and PSHE provision, and focus on promoting positive identity, respectful relationships, and emotional well-being.

    Key themes include:

    • Healthy relationships

    • Understanding consent

    • Navigating peer pressure

    • Developing emotional literacy

    • Managing competitiveness

    • Building self-confidence

    • Promoting allyship and healthy expressions of masculinity

    Assemblies are designed to be inclusive of all students, and we strongly encourage participation from girls and young women to promote whole-school understanding and dialogue.

    For classroom-based delivery, we have found that working in single-gender groups allows boys to engage more openly, reflect on their experiences, and participate in meaningful discussions about identity and behaviour in a supportive environment.

  • We offer a range of structured group programmes designed for high school-aged boys and young men, focusing on the development of positive identity, emotional resilience, and respectful behaviour.

    The Wiseguys Programme is tailored for young men who may be exhibiting inappropriate or harmful ideas around masculinity. Through a safe, non-confrontational setting, this programme encourages critical thinking around values, attitudes, and behaviours, helping participants reflect and grow in a constructive and supported way.

    The Admirable Men Programme is a peer mentoring initiative that empowers young men who are interested in becoming role models. Participants gain a deeper understanding of the key issues surrounding healthy masculinity and are equipped with practical tools to promote positive, respectful behaviours within their school and wider community.

  • We deliver tailored training programmes for professionals working with boys and young men, aimed at deepening their understanding of the complex issues that shape male identity and behaviour.

    Our sessions focus on practical, evidence-informed approaches that support effective engagement with boys and young men, alongside strategies for confidently addressing inappropriate behaviour in a constructive, reflective manner.

  • We also offer training for organisations seeking to explore how concepts of masculinity can influence workplace culture. These sessions provide a valuable addition to any equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategy, addressing an often-overlooked dimension of gender and identity.

    Participants will gain insight into how to promote healthy masculinity within teams, and how to challenge unhelpful or harmful masculine norms that may impact professional environments.

Background

Gosh Boys has been a long-held ambition of mine. The name comes from the reaction I often get when people find out I’m the father of three sons:
“Gosh… three boys. I bet you’re busy!”

And I am! But sometimes, that reaction carries an unspoken assumption—that boys are more difficult or problematic. I’ve always challenged that idea—both as a father and a professional. I believe that when we give boys the space to reflect on masculinity, we equip them to grow into happy, confident, and positive members of our communities.

This work is more relevant than ever. There’s a growing cultural and social focus on masculinity and how it shapes the lives of men—for better or worse. Shows like Top Boy and Adolescence , and a surge in online content, reflect the need for open, honest conversations on this topic.

I’m proud to turn this vision into reality by offering a range of programmes that support both practitioners and organisations in working effectively with boys and young men—while continuing to work alongside them directly.

As a growing practice, we are committed to providing a professional, responsive service that meets your needs and exceeds expectations. We’re excited to collaborate with you and support the next generation of young men.

About Me

After 25 years of working directly with boys and young men, I’m passionate about sharing what I’ve learned. My mission is twofold: to give young men the opportunity to find a positive, empowered place in their communities—and to support practitioners in building greater insight into working effectively with them.
My specialty lies in helping young men think critically about masculinity—how certain messages can restrict or diminish them, and how to challenge and break free from negative, limiting ideals. I explore topics such as healthy relationships, sexism, misogyny, and the influence of pornography, creating space for reflection and honest dialogue.
I’m a qualified Youth Worker and practising Family Worker with extensive experience delivering both direct support to young people and professional training across the health, education, and public sectors. My approach to training is interactive and learner-centred, using real-world case studies, role-plays, and group discussions to engage participants and deepen their understanding.
Over the years, I’ve worked with more than 1,500 boys and young men facing a wide range of issues. I’m currently collaborating with a number of schools, trusts, and academies to build meaningful, long-term partnerships.
I hold the professional Youth Work Qualification and a current DBS.

A 2024 report by the charity Mind found that 62% of young men exposed to such content felt increased pressure to suppress emotions, worsening feelings of shame and loneliness. By adolescence, many boys are overwhelmed by expectations they cannot meet, believing vulnerability equals failure.

Testimonials

‘Having known Matthew for many years professionally and personally, I’m in no doubt he is ideal to carry out this vital work with young men, at a crucial time. His ability to connect with young men, along with his professional knowledge, experience and personable approach, will ensure many young men benefit from this important work.’

Steve Mears - Occupational Therapist

‘I've known Matthew for over 25 years and worked with him on the innovative youth project Wyseguys in Manchester. He’s a dedicated and highly skilled practitioner and trainer, especially in supporting young men through the challenges of growing into adulthood. Matthew combines professionalism with emotional intelligence, creating a safe space where young people feel seen, heard, and empowered. His creative approach consistently leads to meaningful, measurable outcomes.’

Tony Sheppard-Director of Manchester Men’s Health & Male Perpetrator Domestic Abuse Programme Facilitator, Talk Listen Change

Healthy masculinity refers to expressions of manhood that are emotionally intelligent, respectful, authentic, and free from harmful stereotypes. It encourages men to embrace their full range of human emotions and to reject rigid, outdated notions of what it means to “be a man.”

Contact us.

We’d Love to Hear From You
To make a booking or if you have any questions or inquiries, please fill out the contact form opposie with a brief message detailing your requirements. Alternatively, feel free to give us a call at 07772 465 835 — we’ll be happy to discuss your needs.

Costs

We are deeply committed to delivering impactful and accessible work and strive to keep our costs as low as possible. Our one-off sessions start from £120. For an accurate costing please outline your requirements in the contact form.