Progressive Masculinity Ltd is dedicated to reshaping the understanding of masculinity for boys and men. Founded by Mike Nicholson, who has over 20 years of experience in education, our mission is to challenge outdated models of masculinity and promote a healthier, more open-minded perspective. Our team includes experienced educators and mentors, each bringing unique backgrounds and expertise to the program.
Our approach is based on creating safe, non-judgmental spaces where boys and men can explore their masculinity. We focus on supporting them through the transition from adolescence to manhood by empowering them to construct models of masculinity that align with their values. This enables them to become the kind of men, friends, partners, and fathers that the world needs.
Mike Nicholson has over seventeen years of experience in education as an English teacher and middle leader. Having worked in schools from every Ofsted category, he has a wide range of expertise across the educational spectrum. Early in his career, he began to develop a reputation for his ability to impact boys and men deemed ‘difficult’ and ‘challenging’. Recognition of his work with this group led to a Pearson National Teaching Award nomination.
In 2009, Mike took a sabbatical year to manage an education program called The English Language Improvement Centre in a rural area of Ethiopia, Africa. Whilst the conditions during this time were very challenging, they provided Mike with a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience and a chance to change lives by developing the literacy skills of many who had previously been unable or denied the opportunity to learn.
Over the years, Mike became increasingly interested in how our male pupils’ understanding of masculinity was pivotal in their attitudes and behaviours. Researching, developing, and piloting an early version of the Progressive Masculinity Program allowed him to see how so many of our men put on a performance and a mask of what they think it means to be a man’ gleaned from films, games, social media, etc.
The refined version of the Progressive Masculinity Program is Mike’s effort to give our men the freedom and confidence to remove this mask and, through open dialogue and practical activities, reconstruct a healthier and more open-minded understanding of what it can mean to be “a man”.
Nathaniel is an actor, writer and mentor who has been working predominantly in theatre since 2015 (these include various West End productions and tours). A lot of his work is rooted in joy; he believes that at the root, joy will allow us to exist as our most authentic selves.
He started mentoring in 2020, working with young boys and providing them with an open space where they felt empowered. He now works with an array of young people in London, directing yearly school productions and still working as an actor.
Nathaniel Loves Jazz and fashion. He is currently learning French so that he can go to Paris in the summer each year and enjoy all that the city has to offer!
‘Joy is our greatest form of resistance.’
Paul has worked in education since 2004. He has been a Deputy Head (Pastoral) and a Designated Safeguarding Lead. He is also incredibly passionate about promoting positive mental health, particularly in removing the stigma around male mental health. He took the lead and was the driving force behind his school’s achievement of the Well-being Award for Schools. He currently runs his own tutoring, training, and educational services business.
Paul has a passion for football and theatre. He plays for a veterans team in Norfolk and is an active member of several amateur dramatic groups in and around Norwich. He is soon to be seen in a production on the Norwich Theatre Royal stage!
Having worked with young people all his working life, Paul has vast experience in encouraging young people to express their views and have their voices heard.
Phil is a proud father of three children and passionate about football.
He joined Progressive Masculinity after hearing about the program and how it resonated with his experiences throughout school and even more so through coaching football and his different careers. He has coached football for 28 years and is a fabulous role model for these children. He inspires them like he has his own children, and shares his love for the game. Phil constantly instils positive messages in many boys and girls to promote self-confidence, respect for others, and resilience.
Phil served in the army for five years, spending two years in Northern Ireland and then being posted to Germany and Kosovo. He was also a firefighter for five years, during which time he often saw men masking their feelings and behaviours to ensure they always came across as ‘masculine’ as they thought they should’ve.
Phil works in schools as a teaching assistant, helping to improve pupil engagement, active learning, and positive behaviour.
I am honoured to be a part of this transformative journey. As a committed single father of four, including three wonderful sons, I have always strived to lead by example, embracing values that promote empathy, resilience, and integrity. My journey has been one of profound personal growth, marked by the loss of my mother, overcoming significant mental health challenges, and a physical transformation, having lost 17 stone in the past four years.
I am deeply passionate about redefining masculinity in ways that challenge regressive stereotypes and promote healthier, more inclusive models. This passion led me to chair the Men’s Engagement Network at my workplace, focusing on men’s mental and physical health, masculinity, and community outreach. Our initiatives aim to foster environments where men can express themselves authentically and support one another.
I recently qualified for Level 2 CPCAB Counselling, a milestone that enables me to provide more profound support and guidance. This qualification complements my ongoing work in the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion sector, where I collaborate with various communities to create meaningful change.
I am also an aspiring life coach and use my platform to share authentic, emotive content that resonates deeply with my audience. My podcast, “Masculinity Unplugged,” delves into raw, authentic stories that challenge stereotypes and celebrate real-life experiences. My passion for working with young people drives me to engage deeply, with initiatives supporting their development and well-being.
Together, we can redefine what it means to be a man and create a world where every individual can thrive. Thank you for joining me on this journey towards progressive masculinity.
Having three grown up sons I have considerable experience surrounding the challenges they faced in their teenage days, even prior to the digital age and social media! I taught PE for 37 years and I became involved with teaching pupils from our SEND resource. These were some of the most rewarding years of my career and gave me a greater understanding of the kind of discrimination youngsters can experience in society.
For many years I was Assistant Headteacher responsible for Raising Achievement (particularly boys), Pastoral Care, Safeguarding and Community Links. I returned to school during the pandemic as a Pastoral Mentor. Although boys’ underachievement and lack of engagement had been a concern in schools for many years, it was at this time in particular I realised how lost and unattached some youngsters were becoming. I am delighted to join the Progressive Masculinity team, helping boys to discover themselves, seek out positive role models and become confident, well rounded young men. It is a topic that we cannot ignore any longer for the sake of the mental health of our future generations.
I follow Wrexham FC and enjoy all sport particularly golf, skiing, cricket and rugby. I retired from playing rugby at the age of 52, playing for the last time with my three boys in the team for extra protection! Inspired by Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer I recently joined a local Fly Fishing club, being out on the water is the most peaceful time of the week!
I look forward to helping young men to just be themselves, enjoy who they are without worrying.
‘’It’s a sad man my friend who’s livin in his own skin and can’t stand the company’’
Bruce Springsteen
Bec has over 20 years’ of experience in education in a wide range of roles, having worked in Mexico, mainstream, private and SEND settings as a teacher and Middle Leader Bec is the company secretary, and also currently Head of PE and MFL at a special school in Bury. She is taking the lead on the development of a female version of our programs in order to empower girls and young women to reach their full potential.
Charlie has worked in education, mental health, and social care for over twenty years. He trained as an English teacher, before working predominantly in SEND education, as well as residential support work and mental health support. He has developed particular experience and expertise in behaviour support, inclusion and attendance, Autism, and physical and mental health. Having grown up in a somewhat matriarchal family dynamic, Charlie became fascinated by the performance and perception of masculinity, especially given how individuals’ – including his own – behaviour and interactions vary in different contexts.
Often feeling like a tourist and frustrated at a lack of inclusivity within “typically” masculine environments, such as when playing football, listening to hiphop, going to the gym, etc, and wary of mainstream portrayals of masculinity, he did some reading and research into the area, before sending a speculative email to Progressive Masculinity enquiring about their practices and philosophy. Now he’s honoured and delighted to be supporting others in exploring their sense of self and their perception of others in our continually evolving society.
Dave Thompson has always lived in Belfast. He was a primary school teacher, before becoming a facilitator, writer and researcher. He loves reading, writing stories, hill running, liquorice all sorts and large mugs of tea. His favourite film is probably ‘The Martian’ (though sometimes he will say ‘The Intern’) and his favourite books are probably the last two in the Harry Potter series. He loves anything with a good storyline.
Dave believes passionately in the importance of people sharing their story because it’s a way of sharing something about themselves and what’s important to them. It’s also a great way to hear other people’s perspectives. Dave thinks we need more of that, and so it’s important to create spaces for people to talk and listen.
He has been happily married to Lorraine for ages, has two grown up children and a lazy dog that doesn’t like walking very much.
Young people of today deserve time to discuss the positives about masculinity and have an opportunity to openly express their feelings.
I have worked in secondary education since 2004 (wow, 21 years!) and have enjoyed many roles from teaching assistant to senior leadership. Working in this sector is not a job it is a true vocation. I have been lucky enough to work in both mainstream and more recently alternative provision and truly believe that I have made a difference to many lives along the way. Working with pupils that have grown up with challenging backgrounds, I utilise this to be able to relate and create a positive environment quickly.
Empowerment, pride and respect are my main values and I endeavour to instil these in every young person I meet.
Having started as a PE teacher, leading a team in PE as a head of department then progressing through the pastoral team, incorporating the role of DSL, safeguarding of children has been central in all my roles and giving young people opportunities they may have had the chance to experience is something I am proud of.
More recently, leading in an alternative provision has allowed me to hone my skill set and work with vulnerable young people from the ages of 11 to 23, all this experience has set me up for this next adventure.
I love sport, whether it’s looking for my golf ball in the trees or sitting and watching (literally anything) on the TV, sport has always been my biggest passion.
With a family of my own I have seen how growing up in the current world can be tough and the impact that not only the media has, but society in general, on boys and girls. If I can make a difference to just one young person then that is job done!
Please contact us if you want to learn more about Progressive Masculinity Ltd. and how we can support your institution or organisation. We are committed to helping boys and men explore and realise their masculinity’s potential, positively and inclusively.
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