Youth project aims to inspire boys and young men

A grassroots initiative in West Yorkshire aims to empower boys and young men by helping to create more safe spaces for them, its organisers have said.

Emerge, launched in both Leeds and Bradford, is focused on supporting boys - particularly those from black communities - in such spaces, allowing them to get together, reflect, and grow.

Project founder Nana Abena Owusuwah Hagan said the idea stemmed from concerns over rising youth violence, funding cuts to youth services and a lack of male-focused community initiatives.

Mrs Hagan said: "We've taken away the places where young people gather, share and grow. If we want to stop problems escalating, we have to give them those spaces back."

According to organisers, Emerge aimed to steer young people away from gangs, knife crime, and misogyny, especially where it was driven by toxic online influences.

At the project's launch event, young men spoke about the struggles they faced and the urgent need for change.

Steven Sabino, 20, a college student hoping to pursue the performing arts, spoke about how racism continued to have an impact on young black men.

"You laugh it off because it's awkward, but inside it stays with you," he said.

Meanwhile, Isaac M'Lan, 22, reflected on a perceived lack of opportunity for young people and its consequences.

"A young person wants to make money, can't find a job, and ends up getting pulled into crime," he explained.

"Yes, they should take responsibility – but we also need to offer them better choices."

Young women involved in the programme also called for empathy and understanding of the challenges faced by young men.

Elroina, 16, said: "They're not understood properly and people don't listen to how they feel. We need more spaces like this, definitely."

Klarissa, 11, said she was proud to be part of building something positive.

Reflecting on the experiences of her male peers, she said: "Sometimes, I'll be saying, 'hi, how are you?' and they'll say, 'I'm good'. But deep down, they're not really feeling the best."

Eve Maloba, who runs the Complete Woman project, was among those supporting the launch of Emerge.

Ms Maloba said: "We're here to remind our boys of who they are.

"If you build a boy's self-belief, there is nothing he cannot do."

A mother of four boys herself, she added: "If we don't step in, they live out that false identity instead of discovering who they truly are."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.