Healthy Masculinity Workshops for Boys and Young Men
Healthy Masculinity Workshops for Boys and Young Men
Programs for boys in Year 7-12
Empowering Boys is a healthy masculinity program for boys in middle and senior school within Australian secondary schools.
THE SNAPSHOT:
Boys don’t switch off because the message is wrong. They switch off because of how it’s delivered.
Our healthy masculinity workshops give boys and young men in Years 7–12 a space to talk honestly about respect, strength, friendship and identity, without shame, lectures or finger-pointing. Sessions are strengths-based and pro-social: we start from the belief that young men want to be good men, and we give them the language, role models and practical tools to get there.
Delivered at your school, anywhere in Australia, by director Ben Russell - a Trusted eSafety Provider with 15+ years in school leadership.
WHY SCHOOLS BOOK THIS WORKSHOP
Many schools are navigating the immense pressure in forming good men: consent education mandates, online influencers selling boys a distorted version of manhood, and staff who want to engage boys without alienating them. A one-off assembly rarely moves the dial. A well-run workshop, where boys feel seen, heard, respected - as well as challenged - rather than accused, does.
Schools use these workshops to complement their respectful relationships program, to respond to specific cohort issues, or as an annual rite-of-passage session for a year level.
WHAT THE WORKSHOPS COVER
Content is tailored to your cohort and context. Core themes include:
What strength actually looks like: challenging the shrunken version of masculinity boys meet online
Respect in friendships, relationships and group settings: including bystander moments
Online culture: influencers, group chats and the gap between banter and harm
Emotions and mates: building the vocabulary young men are rarely given
Role models: identifying the men they actually want to become
Formats range from a single 90-minute workshop to a half-day intensive or a multi-visit series across a term. Parent evening add-on available (The Connected Family keynote).
WHO IT’S FOR
Years 7–12, in boys’ schools and co-ed settings (delivered to boys-only groups or whole cohorts, depending on your goals). Group sizes from a single class to a full year level.
For our general healthy, respectful relationship programs look
Testimonials
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Over the past two years, Churchie has been fortunate to develop a strong and highly valued partnership with Ben Russell and EmpowermentEd. Working collaboratively with Ben, we have developed a bespoke programme within our existing whole-school wellbeing framework. Specifically, Ben has curated a sequence of learning for our Year 8 students centred on the themes of self-awareness and understanding others. The programme comprises ten lessons, delivered across Terms 2 and 4, and is supported by an outstanding suite of resources designed for use in the lessons by the housemasters. The programme was launched through an engaging cohort presentation, whilst Ben has also worked closely with our broader wellbeing team to deepen our understanding of the evolving nature of character formation and wellbeing in young people.
Berian William-Jones - Deputy Head of Senior School - Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie)
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Thank you, Ben. We thoroughly enjoyed having you share your knowledge and experience with our growing group of young boys. The students are excited as they prepare an assembly item for next week, inspired by some of the topics you explored with them. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon.
Sam - Head of Year - Clayfield College
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Exceptional presentation by Ben Russell to our Year 8 students from Villanova College Coorparoo this afternoon and evening. Ben delved into critical subjects like respectful relationships, trust-building, and the dangers of toxic social media trends. His insights on the distorted perceptions created by social media and associated industries highlighted the need for realistic expectations. This session was not just informative but vital, instiling in our students an appreciation for themselves and fostering healthy relationships. Ben and his team facilitated a safe environment for our students to be open with each other and learn from each others individual perspectives. These lessons will undoubtedly shape their future interactions and empower them to create nurturing connections. Thank you, Ben and the team, for equipping our students with essential life skills!
Head of Year 8 Villanova College
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I just wanted to reach out and thank you again for your presentation - it was very engaging and informative. The concepts you spoke about were relevant and well-explained for their age, and something that really needs to be explicitly taught, regardless of background or privilege. It was great to be able to reference back to the scenarios and examples you gave in our Year Level assembly today..
Head of Year 7 - Downlands College
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Really got me thinking. Wasn't as if we were being told what to do, but Ben definitely made us think about the blokes we are and if it is the version we want to put out into the world. Thanks for challenging me Ben
Student - Year 10
FAQs
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No, and that’s the point. Shame-based approaches push boys toward the very voices we’re trying to counter. Sessions are conversational, story-driven and strengths-based, and boys consistently rate them as sessions where they felt spoken with, not at.
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It slots directly into an RRE or pastoral program as a boys-focused deep dive, or runs standalone. Many schools pair it with our Empowering Relationships program across the year.
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Yes - The Connected Family parent keynote is designed to run as an evening session so families hear a consistent message.
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Australia-wide. We’re based in Brisbane and regularly travel to every state and territory.
Enquire:
Tell us your year level, cohort and what’s prompted the enquiry, and we’ll shape a workshop to fit. Call Ben on 0422 066 281 or enquire below for a no-obligation chat.