Further education colleges across Wales came together last week for two powerful events exploring how the sector can tackle misogyny and promote respectful relationships among learners.
The events form part of a wider ColegauCymru project funded by Taith, Wales’ international learning exchange programme, which supports international collaboration and the sharing of best practice. The project builds on our ongoing work with Canadian partners to explore how colleges can challenge gender-based violence and promote positive relationships. Find out more about our Taith project.
Hosted by ColegauCymru, the events took place in Cardiff on 1 October and Coleg Cambria on 3 October 2025, bringing together over 500 male learners aged 16 and 17 and staff from across Wales for open and honest conversations about masculinity, respect, and positive change.
Inspiring Change with She Is Not Your Rehab
The morning sessions at both events featured Matt Brown, founder of She Is Not Your Rehab - an internationally recognised movement challenging harmful ideas about masculinity and relationships. 
Through his powerful and deeply personal story, Matt encouraged young men to reflect on their behaviours, break cycles of violence, and take ownership of their futures. His message of courage, accountability and hope resonated strongly with the hundreds of learners who attended.
Matt said,
“Change begins when we have the courage to look inward and challenge the stories we’ve been told about what it means to be a man. Every young person has the power to choose a different path - one that’s rooted in respect, empathy and strength.”
Sector Collaboration and Co-Design
In the South Wales event, college leaders took part in an afternoon co-design session facilitated by Our Voice Our Journey, exploring practical, innovative solutions to address misogyny, peer-on-peer abuse and harmful behaviours in college
settings.
Participants examined real-life learner experiences, identified barriers to progress, and worked collaboratively to design strategies that promote prevention, respect, and equality across the FE sector in Wales.
In North Wales, the afternoon session focused on empowering learners directly, with small groups of male learners engaging in guided discussions and peer-led activities, led by Our Voice Our Journey, to explore how they can contribute to creating safer, more respectful college environments.
Working Together for Cultural Change
The events form part of our ongoing work to support colleges in building inclusive, respectful learning communities. By engaging both learners and staff, the sessions highlighted the importance of shared responsibility in tackling misogyny and fostering positive relationships.
Further dissemination on this project will be shared in a workshop at the ColegauCymru annual conference which will be held at Cardiff City Football Stadium on 23 October 2025.
ColegauCymru Project Lead, Siân Holleran, said,
“These events created safe spaces for honest discussion and reflection. By involving learners and staff in co-designing solutions, we’re taking a collaborative, national approach to shaping lasting cultural change across the sector.”
ColegauCymru would like to thank all colleges who participated in these important events, as well as She Is Not Your Rehab and Our Voice Our Journey, for their inspiring contributions. Finally, the importance of Taith funding cannot be under-estimated - without it, the project, the international collaboration and these events would not have taken place.
Together, working in partnership within and beyond Wales, we can help create further education environments where every learner feels respected, valued, and empowered to be part of the change.
Further Information
Tackling Misogyny and Promoting Respectful Relationships in Further Education
Sian Holleran, Project Manager
Sian.Holleran@ColegauCymru.ac.uk
Amy Williams, Policy Officer
Amy.Williams@ColegauCymru.ac.uk
