Because isn’t that the real goal? To raise positive, confident individuals capable of achieving anything they put their minds to? To raise young people who feel comfortable expressing their unique spirit among friends and family members and who actively contribute to their communities?

Yet sadly, this isn’t the case for many young Australians, particularly young men. Too many adolescent boys continue to be taught that sharing how they feel is a sign of weakness, trapping them inside an identity that buries their emotions and represses their fears. This doesn’t just stifle their potential, it’s resulted in a national health emergency with increasing rates of depression, suicide, and violence. 

So at The Man Cave, we’ve made it our mission to do something about it.

At The Man Cave, we start that journey with a simple idea: prevention is better than cure. That’s why we design and deliver programs specifically for boys between 12 and 16 years of age, a time when they’re mature enough to see the men they’re becoming, yet still receptive enough to let someone help shape it.

The shaping is guided by our team of charismatic and diverse facilitators, each an expert in youth engagement strategies. Using evidence-based workshops, specially developed by our programs team, the facilitators provide boys with real, tangible skills to help bring about positive behavior change. And because our programs are co-creations between subject matter experts and the very boys who participate in them, they’re as enjoyable as they are effective.

Boisterous and intimate, challenging and life-affirming, The Man Cave offers each individual a safe, non-judgmental space to explore their own unique masculinity, all while promoting positive mental health, gender equality and encouraging respectful, fulfilling relationships. Because we believe these are some of the most important traits that will support our young men to thrive.