Spotlight on young men: First 'Let’s Hear it for the Boys' Conference held in Gateshead
The first-ever Let’s Hear it for the Boys conference took place at the Baltic in Gateshead, marking a significant moment for youth-focused organisations in the North East.
The inspiring day of sharing and learning was hosted by North East Youth Alliance and North East Young Dads and Lads (NEYDL). It was created to highlight the pressing issues facing young men and boys in the region. It also served to celebrate and connect the dedicated individuals and organisations working tirelessly to support them.
The conversation around masculinity, identity, and youth engagement had been recently reignited by the Netflix show Adolescence, which brought mainstream attention to the rise of the 'manosphere', Incel culture, and influencers such as Andrew Tate who promote misogyny, ‘red pill’ ideology, and a culture of violence and hostility towards women and girls.
The conference featured thought-provoking keynote talks, a candid expert panel discussion, and a series of practical, targeted workshops. Attendees left with deeper insight, lived experiences, and actionable knowledge that will empower them to guide young men through these complex social challenges—and help them transition confidently from adolescence into adulthood.
Over 100 delegates took part with a real energy to listen and learn.
Ongoing collaboration remains essential to making a lasting difference and ensuring better outcomes for both current and future generations of young men.