Southampton boys to receive positive relationship education thanks to £50,000 grant from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Freemasons
Hundreds of boys in Southampton will be supported to understand positive relationships, learn respectful attitudes, and develop the skills they need to become better teammates, friends and role models, thanks to a £50,000 grant from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Freemasons to Saints Foundation charity.
The funding will support Saints Foundation’s Team Mates project over the next two years, reaching around 330 boys aged 9-15 from schools and community settings across some of Southampton’s most disadvantaged communities. Through small-group sessions delivered in schools and the community, young people are given a safe space to explore topics including respect, boundaries, gender stereotypes, emotional regulation, positive relationships and online safety.
The project forms part of Saints Foundation’s wider commitment to creating safer communities and improving outcomes for young people across Southampton. Southampton is currently one of the most challenging places in the UK to grow up as a girl, ranking within the 10 percent toughest areas nationally. By working with boys at an early age, the project helps them better understand the impact of their words and actions, encouraging positive behaviours and empowering them to become gender equality allies, using what they’ve learnt to positively influence others in their community.
Within schools, Saints Foundation, the charity of Southampton Football Club, will deliver a ten-week, small-group workshop programme embedded directly within the school timetable to remove barriers to participation. Through structured activities and discussions, participants develop emotional regulation, challenge gender stereotypes, and build positive attitudes towards women and girls. Saints Foundation will work in close partnership with Yellow Door, drawing on their specialist expertise to ensure all content is accurate, age-appropriate, and trauma-informed.
Over the past two years, 80 percent of young people engaged in Saints Foundation’s gender equality work have achieved positive outcomes. Participants have said the project has helped them understand misogyny, recognise sexist language and learn how to show greater respect and understanding towards others.
The grant from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Freemasons comes through the Freemasons’ Charity, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
We’re extremely grateful for this generous grant from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Freemasons. By working proactively with young people across Southampton, we aim to foster positive attitudes, strengthen relationships, and equip boys with the confidence and skills to be supportive teammates, respectful peers, positive role models, and allies for gender equality in their schools and communities. This investment will allow us to reach more young people across Southampton, helping to build a future where people feel valued, respected, and able to thrive.
I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help Saints Foundation with their hugely important work. Equipping young men with the understanding to foster respect and challenge misogyny makes a profound difference to the safety and wellbeing of women and girls in our communities, and we are proud to support such a transformative initiative.
