CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY WITH POW

International Men’s Day has a habit of slipping quietly past the calendar.

This year, we wanted things to feel different. On 19 November, Power of Women and Lived XP joined forces to host an event dedicated to the incredible male allies and positive role models right here in Teesside, men who are already shaping a fairer, more compassionate future for our young people.

At Power of Women, equality sits at the heart of everything we do.

We’re proud to have over 200 female role models supporting our work, but true equality has to involve everyone. Boys grow up facing their own pressures too, the unspoken rules about showing emotion, the expectations around how they “should” behave. These pressures can quietly chip away at confidence, and we believe it’s vital to create spaces where boys feel understood, supported, and free from those old strains.

And the truth is, Teesside is full of men who are already doing this beautifully. Men who are breaking outdated stereotypes, leading with empathy, and showing young people what positive masculinity really looks like. When boys see real men modelling vulnerability and kindness, our school programmes land even deeper.

That’s exactly what we wanted to celebrate.

Hosted at Everyone Active’s Middlesbrough Sports Village, the event brought together leaders from education, business, and the wider community. It became a space for honest conversations, about the pressures young people face and the role we all play in easing them.

We were especially honoured to hear from Matt Homan of Lived XP, whose story of resilience resonated across the room. His work with young people at risk of exclusion or exploitation makes him a standout example of how powerful a positive male role model can be.

Guests also had the chance to learn more about the work Power of Women is delivering in schools, alongside the brilliant programmes Lived XP runs to support young people when they need it most. Throughout the event, there was a real sense of togetherness and a shared commitment to empowering the next generation.

A big thank-you to Everyone Active for welcoming us so warmly. From parking to hospitality, every detail helped create the perfect environment for our event.

This wasn’t just a day about International Men’s Day. It was a day about community, conversation and hope. A day that reminded us how important it is for all young people, girls and boys, to have role models who reflect their experiences, their challenges and their potential.

Written by Laura Bousfield