What does it mean to be a man? And can positive masculinity play a role in encouraging young men to reach out for support? These are some of the questions at the heart of In Your Corner, an innovative project by Change Grow Live offering a fresh approach to drug and alcohol support by meeting men where they are – both physically and emotionally.
In a society where hypermasculinity – marked by aggression, emotional suppression, and a reluctance to seek help – is deeply ingrained, many young men struggle to engage with traditional support services. In Your Corner is tackling this issue head-on, by focusing on a positive vision of masculinity that encourages vulnerability, trust, and meaningful reflection and conversation.
Understanding the need
In Your Corner was born out of the realisation that young men aged 18–30 were not engaging with drug and alcohol recovery services. Despite being the largest demographic in the probation system, fewer than 10% were accessing available support.
When young men leave the criminal justice system, they often face barriers that make it difficult to reintegrate into the community. Many have disengaged from traditional support services, left feeling unheard and misunderstood.
“It just brought about a question for us,” explains Change Grow Live’s Myka Wilshire, who leads the project. “Why, given that it's such a large caseload for probation nationally, are we as a drug and alcohol service not working with a very large percentage of those people?”
Further consultation revealed that hypermasculinity played a major role in disengagement. Young men often resisted accessing help due to deep-seated social expectations around toughness and self-reliance. Traditional services, with their rigid structures and formal settings, did not appeal to them.
A relationship-driven approach
Instead of expecting young men to fit into conventional service models, In Your Corner is designed to fit around them. The project emphasises flexibility and relationship-building, moving away from structured sessions in probation offices towards informal, real-world interactions.
“Our staff are working in a much less formal environment,” Myka explains. “We’re generally not meeting people in probation or in services. We’re trying to meet them where they feel comfortable—whether that’s a coffee shop, a gym, or out on a walk.”
This approach is proving transformative. Darren Clarkson, a frontline worker, describes a young man who had never engaged with support services before but agreed to go running with him. “For me, that’s a massive win,” Darren says. “This guy had been through four structured services before and always disengaged. But now, he’s engaging because we’re doing something he actually wants to do.”
The power of trust
Building trust is at the core of In Your Corner. Many participants have experienced significant trauma and lack faith in institutions. Establishing relationships based on mutual respect is key to breaking down those barriers.
“What the project is giving us is the opportunity to build real, more meaningful relationships,” says team member Lowell Crisford. “For some of these young men, I think it’s the first time someone has genuinely taken an interest in them.”
The impact of these relationships is profound. Chai Burrell, another worker on the project, recalls one participant telling him: “I wouldn’t have even got out of bed today if it wasn’t for you and this service.”
Meeting people where they are
A defining feature of In Your Corner is its adaptability. Rather than imposing a rigid framework, the project allows workers to tailor their support to the individual, so that interventions can be woven naturally into everyday conversations. This has significantly reduced dropout rates, says Myka. “The staff are doing a mix of things—some are walking and talking, others are embedding interventions around activities.”
This flexible approach creates space for conversations that wouldn’t happen in a formal office setting. “Imagine being 21 and someone wants to sit down and talk about your emotions,” Lowell says. “No chance. But if we’re walking, if we’re talking about something else, suddenly they’re telling you everything you need to know.”
A model for the future
The success of In Your Corner has sparked discussions about its potential for wider implementation. Darren believes that it should be socially prescribed, with young men being referred to the service through GPs and community networks:
“The way I see it evolving is that this should be everywhere. Imagine if this was something that could be recommended by your doctor: ‘You’re struggling? OK, here’s someone who will check in with you once a week, go for a run with you, take you to try something new.'”
Although funding remains a challenge, enthusiasm for the project is growing. Efforts are being made to integrate it into additional services, including youth provision and prison-based interventions.
The project has also opened up discussions about the role of masculinity in shaping young men’s lives. While In Your Corner initially set out to address hypermasculinity, it has evolved into something more: a space to explore positive masculinity.
“It started out looking at toxic masculinity,” Myka explains. “But we didn’t like that term—it felt negative. Hypermasculinity says the same thing, but without the judgment. And now, we’re asking an even bigger question: Do young men even know what positive masculinity looks like?
Many participants struggle to define what being a man means to them. As part of the project’s evaluation, staff use an exercise called ‘The Man Box’, which asks men to list society’s expectations of both men and women. “What we’re finding is that a lot of them haven’t even thought about it before. It’s really eye-opening.” says Myka.
The path forward
As In Your Corner continues to grow, the team is committed to refining and expanding the model. One area of focus is supporting staff, who deal with intense emotional situations daily. “We’re not skimming the surface,” Myka explains. “Our workers are hearing some really raw, difficult things. So we’re bringing in clinical supervision to make sure they’re supported, too.”
There’s also recognition that the conversation needs to extend beyond young men. “Masculinity directly affects women, too,” Chai points out. “We need to be educating young women as well, because understanding these dynamics is important for everyone.”
Ultimately, In Your Corner is about reimagining support for young men – not just in the criminal justice system, but in society more broadly. By prioritising relationships, meeting people where they are, and challenging outdated narratives about masculinity, Change Grow Live is proving that meaningful change is possible.
As Darren sums up, “If we can stop young men falling through the cracks now, we’re not just changing their lives – we’re changing the future.”
Find out more
- Learn more about In Your Corner in our 2024 Annual Report
- Read our advice for people going to prison and prison information for friends and family
- Find out how our Halton service has exceeded national targets to support people leaving prison