Campaign trains 20 men who already work with young people in bid to challenge harmful behaviours and promote healthy relationships.
Twenty men from across Wales have completed a specialist training programme to help them support the young people they work with and create safer communities.
The training programme is part of the Welsh government’s Sound initiative, which aims to prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG) by encouraging men to learn about gender-based violence, as well as healthy relationships, respect and positive masculinity. This can then lead to positive conversations with their peers.
The 20 men who took part in the training already work with young people. The course, delivered in partnership with the charity White Ribbon, aimed to help them start conversations proactively, making them ambassadors in the bid to tackle VAWG.
Cardiff-based musician James Minas was one of those who took part. Inspired by what he learned, he has now set up Bros B4 Lows, a support group for men in the Welsh music scene that provides a safe place to discuss issues such as mental health, relationships and life challenges.
James Minas says: ‘I joined the programme because I wanted to learn more and feel more confident having difficult conversations. During the training, I realised there wasn’t really a space for men in Cardiff’s music community to come together and support each other. Being in music can be quite isolating, and I wanted to give men a safe space to come to if they wanted to, to talk as little or as much as they like. That’s what inspired Bros B4 Lows.
‘The response has been really positive. We’ve already held several meetups and brought together men from different music backgrounds. It gives people a chance to talk, listen and support one another. Those conversations are really important.’
Sioned Williams MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Equalities, adds: ‘We are committed to ending violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence in our society. Prevention is key and it must be part of a whole system response. That means working across government, services and communities to challenge harmful attitudes, promote respect and stop abuse from happening in the first place.
‘Our Sound ambassadors are already making a real difference in their communities. Young men need positive role models who can lead honest conversations about respect, relationships and behaviour. This training gives ambassadors the skills and confidence to do exactly that.’
Photo: Cardiff-based musician James Minas, founder of Bros B4 Lows. Photo courtesy of Welsh government.
In related news:
Give disabled people the means to live, campaigners tell MPs
Leave a Reply