As Netflix’s landmark drama ‘Adolescence’ sparks crucial discussions on boys’ mental health, masculinities, and radicalisation, Global Fund for Children is set to unveil a series of inspiring short films at the Marmalade Festival on 3rd April 2025. The panel event, Getting beyond ‘toxic’ masculinity – boys and young men changing the narrative offers a timely counterpoint to the series’ concerns.

Katherine Gilmour, Regional Director for Europe and Eurasia at GFC, says: “The global conversations sparked by ‘Adolescence’ underscore the urgency of our work. At GFC, we’ve been championing healthy masculinities since 2019, collaborating with community groups that make a real difference in boys’ daily lives. Our partners, deeply embedded in their communities, provide the vital connection and support that boys and young men desperately need. As ‘Adolescence’ poignantly illustrates, the solutions to these complex issues lie in fostering genuine community bonds and positive role models. We’re committed to tackling gendered stereotypes, creating space for boys and young men to speak up about their lives, reconnecting boys with strong, consistent mentors and facilitating real-in-person relationships that combat the isolation and loneliness many young men experience.” 

Capturing Community Spirit on Film

Created in collaboration with boys and community organisations in Bradford – coinciding with Bradford’s year as the UK City of Culture 2025 – these films feature boys aged 10 to 14 and offer a fresh perspective on young men’s roles in their communities. The project is partly funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) through the #iwill fund and People’s Postcode Lottery.

Films : 

• “Another Round” – Tasif Khan Community Boxing Academy: Young boxers building resilience and citizenship through mentorship.

• “More Tins” – West Bowling Youth Initiative: Boys collecting food for families facing food insecurity.

• “Tagging” and “Joint” – Worth Valley Young Farmers Club: Young farmers nurturing communities through sustainable practices.

Jacob, 16, from Worth Valley Young Farmers Club, explains: “I think it was important to make the film to show communities and individuals that the stereotype of today’s youth isn’t always true and to show that the youth is a key part of our world. I believe social action encourages friends to join in and give it a go, because they see some of us older lot as role models and they see us doing it and think well if there doing that I can do that too.” 

Addressing Masculinity and Mental Health

These films demonstrate that community engagement is a powerful antidote to the isolation and loneliness exacerbated by increased screen time. By participating in local initiatives, boys develop purpose, build real-world relationships, and enhance their emotional wellbeing. This active involvement fosters resilience, empathy, and a strong sense of community connection.

Andrew Wood, Club Leader at Worth Valley Young Farmers Club, notes: “It’s great to champion the good stuff the lads are doing and the fact that we have used a sense of humour in the films will hopefully put some smiles on people’s faces which always helps.” 

Seth, 14, shares: “I like helping others, and I’m proud of Oxenhope and the area I’m from. I would encourage more people to do it [volunteer], I’ve learnt more things from spending time with others, particularly the older generation, about how things used to be which I find really interesting. It makes me feel part of the community.”

GFC’s Healthy Masculinities Programme

As part of its wider Gender Justice focus, GFC has developed an international focus on healthy masculinities over the past several years, with support in the UK from The National Lottery Community Fund, DCMS, and People’s Postcode Lottery. This work creates spaces for boys and young men to develop emotional literacy, strengthen relationships, break down gender stereotypes, and embrace more equitable attitudes.

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “It’s fantastic that funding raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and awarded by Postcode Education Trust is helping to challenge outdated stereotypes and celebrate the positive contributions of young men in their communities. These films are a powerful testament to the creativity and resilience of young people.”

Sam Tague, Head of the #iwill Fund, added: “Thanks to National Lottery players and DCMS, the work of the #iwill Fund continues to have an incredible impression on young people. This £66 million joint investment supports them to develop their skills, reach their potential, and access high-quality social action. We’re pleased to be working alongside Global Fund for Children to support community organisations to create opportunities for boys and young men to take part in meaningful social action and make a positive difference in their communities.”

As society grapples with the issues raised by ‘Adolescence’, GFC’s initiative offers a hopeful perspective, showcasing real-life examples of boys and young men actively shaping a positive future for themselves and their communities.

Watch and share the films from 3rd April #BoysBeyondBias.

Media Opportunities

Previews of the short films available. Filming/interviews can be arranged with project participants, community partners, and GFC representatives. Filming/site visits to the featured initiatives can be organised for in-depth coverage.

Contact: For more information about the films or the Healthy Masculinities initiative, interview opportunities, or to arrange a film preview, please contact Jenny@happypr.co.uk.

Notes to Editors

• Global Fund for Children (GFC) partners with community-based organisations around the world to help children and youth reach their full potential and advance their rights.

• The Boys Beyond Bias campaign and Global Fund for Children’s Healthy Masculinities initiative receives funds through the Postcode Education Trust thanks to funds raised by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.

• Since 2020, players of People’s Postcode Lottery have helped GFC transform the lives of thousands of children and young people around the world

GLOBAL FUND FOR CHILDREN

Global Fund for Children partners with local organizations around the world, helping them deepen their impact on the lives of children and youth and develop their capacity for social change. By pairing flexible funding with targeted capacity development services, we support community-led groups to shift social norms, policies, and practices to foster lasting change for children and youth. Since 1997, we have invested $56 million in more than 1,000 organizations worldwide.

More information: Exploring Masculinities in England – Global Fund for Children Investing in Youth Social Action in England – Global Fund for Children

#iwill Fund 

• The #iwill Fund is made possible thanks to £66 million joint investment from The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to support young people to access high quality social action opportunities.

• The #iwill Fund brings together a group of organisations who all contribute funding to embed meaningful social action into the lives of young people.

• The #iwill Fund supports the aims of the #iwill movement – to make involvement in social action a part of life for young people, by recognising the benefit for both young people and their communities.

• By bringing together funders from across different sectors and by making sure that young people have a say in where the funding goes – the #iwill Fund is taking a collaborative approach.

The #iwill movement

• The #iwill movement is a collaboration of over 1000 organisations and 300 young #iwill Ambassadors from across the UK. They are united by a shared belief that all children and young people should be supported and empowered to make a positive difference on the issues that affect their lives, their communities, and broader society.

• #iwill was launched in November 2013 after an independent review into how different sectors could help more young people to make a positive difference.

• The #iwill movement is supported by an independent coordination hub, hosted by Volunteering Matters & UK Youth.

• Take the lead by signing up to the Power of Youth Charter at www.iwill.org.uk or follow us @iwill_movement on twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

The National Lottery Community Fund

We are the largest non-statutory community funder in the UK – community is at the heart of our purpose, vision and name.

We support activities that create resilient communities that are more inclusive and environmentally sustainable and that will strengthen society and improve lives across the UK.

We’re proud to award money raised by National Lottery players to communities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and to work closely with government to distribute vital grants and funding from key government programmes and initiatives.

As well as responding to what communities tell us is important to them, our funding is focused on four key missions, supporting communities to:

• Come together

• Be environmentally sustainable

• Help children and young people thrive

• Enable people to live healthier lives.

Thanks to the support of National Lottery players, we distribute around £500 million a year through 10,000+ grants and plan to invest over £4 billion of funding into communities by 2030. We’re privileged to be able to work with the smallest of local groups right up to UK-wide charities, enabling people and communities to bring their ambitions to life.

National Lottery players raise over £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK. Since The National Lottery began in 1994, £47 billion has been raised and more than 670,000 individual grants have been made across the UK – the equivalent of around 240 National Lottery grants in every UK postcode district.

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FALTREGO

Faltrego is a strategic creative agency for charities and purpose-led organisations. Their expertise is in co-creating authentic and accessible brands, campaigns and content to increase reach, influence and impact – driven by community engagement and insight.

Mary-Laine Friday, Founder and CEO of Faltrego, explains the campaign development: “We challenged public perceptions of boys and young men as ‘lost causes’ or ‘vandals’. Through focus groups and surveys, we discovered their involvement in community engagement activities. We collaborated closely with the boys to develop messaging, humour, and language that felt natural to them. The resulting films highlight their positive impact, challenging unconscious biases with clever wordplay and unexpected twists.”