“Beyond The Cage connects role models with young men, tackling a crisis of belonging with evidence-backed solutions that deliver real impact.”

Across the UK, young men are facing an escalating crisis of identity, belonging, and wellbeing. The Lost Boys study shows that boys are underperforming in education, overrepresented in school exclusions, and significantly more likely to disengage from support systems. Many struggle with pressure to conform to outdated masculine stereotypes, while simultaneously feeling that the images of masculinity promoted in the media are irrelevant to their lives. Others experience disadvantage simply for being young and male, fuelling resentment and mistrust of institutions meant to support them.

The wider evidence is equally stark. Rates of probable mental disorders in 17–19-year-olds more than doubled from 10% in 2017 to 23% in 2023 (“NHS Digital, 2023”). Suicide remains the single leading cause of death for men under 50, with three-quarters of cases male (“Mental Health Foundation, 2023”). The British Psychological Society has highlighted that “male suicide rates remain high, male victims of abuse are under-supported, and boys’ educational, emotional, and developmental needs often go unaddressed” (BPS, 2025). The BPS has also warned that services are often designed with the expectation that men must adapt to them, rather than being shaped around the real lives and contexts of boys and men (“BPS Male Psychology Section Conference, 2025”). Alongside this, research by Wobble shows that stigma, economic strain, loneliness, and lack of male-friendly healthcare have created a “perfect storm” undermining young men’s wellbeing (Wobble, 2024).

This is where Beyond The Cage takes action. We believe that inspiration itself can be an intervention. When a boy hears the lived story of someone who has faced struggle and built resilience, it creates a spark. That spark can unlock conversation and conversation is the gateway to change. Our ambassadors are educators, athletes, coaches, and professionals who embody resilience and service. They live by daily standards listen, smile, have fun, put effort in, and give to others and they deliver inspiration in group settings that young men trust, from schools and gyms to community clubs.

By translating evidence into real-world practice, Beyond The Cage offers credible programmes for schools, councils, and funders. We map directly to unmet needs: moving beyond “talk-first” services by leading with inspiration, tackling stigma through relatable male figures, building belonging through activity-based groups, and creating “stepping-stone” pathways into long-term support. Our mission is simple: to ensure that every young man feels seen, supported, and guided towards a hopeful future.

References

• Lost Boys: The Decline of Boys in Britain – CSJ

• A Space to Genuinely See and Serve Men and Boys – British Psychological Society (2025)

• Declining Mental Health Among Young Men – Wobble (2024)

• Mental Health of Children and Young People in England – NHS Digital (2023)

• Men and Mental Health Statistics – Mental Health Foundation (2023)

• Young Men, Masculinity and Wellbeing – Open University (2017)