“I didn’t like what he said. I just didn’t know what to do next.”
It’s a moment many practitioners recognise — wanting to respond, to guide, to challenge, but not always knowing how. Challenging misogynistic attitudes and behaviours in the moment — and understanding the online influences shaping them — is central to Our Voice Our Journey’s mission to prevent violence against women and girls. It’s why REWIRED has come to Islington.
Last week, REWIRED delivered its first local training day as part of the Cabinet Office Test, Learn and Grow programme, bringing together practitioners from schools, youth services and community organisations who work directly with boys and young men.
The day was rooted in practical, hands-on learning. Participants explored tools they can take straight back into their settings, shared what’s already working on the ground, and opened up about the challenges they face — from limited time and resources to the wider systemic barriers that can make this work hard to sustain.
Despite this, the energy in the room was great. Practitioners showed a deep commitment to the young people they support and a clear appetite to keep learning and improving. By the end of the session, attendees left with new skills, stronger peer connections, and greater confidence in navigating complex conversations around relationships, attitudes and wellbeing.
Feedback from the day reinforced just how needed these spaces are. As one practitioner put it:
“It’s not just your role as a teacher, it’s your role as an adult.”
The session also brought fresh thinking into the room. Bernie from What Makes A Man led an “empathy lightbulb” workshop, challenging participants to see the boys and young men they work with through a different lens. Because when boys develop empathy, accountability and respect, the ripple effect matters-for girls, for women, and for the cultures we all share.
Alongside this, Our Voice Our Journey shared its Critical Conversations training, introduced their newly launched Real Talk Cards, and spotlighted powerful resources like She Is Not Your Rehab and This Is Not Yours To Carry — tools helping frontline practitioners show up with greater awareness and impact.
This is what it looks like when practitioners come together to build, reflect and grow. And this is just the beginning of our journey.
REWIRED is continuing to grow its network in Islington, bringing together people committed to challenging misogyny, shifting harmful attitudes, and creating safer, more equal environments for everyone. Anyone working with young people in the borough can join and receive access to free training, resources, community of practice and an opportunity to work together to create a safer Islington.
Get involved and find out more:
If you’re based in Islington or the surrounding area and want to be part of the REWIRED network, we’d love to hear from you.
Sign up to join the network and hear about upcoming training and events.
