Helping Boys Become Men Masculinity, Mentorship & Digital Dangers with Richard Pomfrett In this vital and timely episode of The TRUUMAN Podcast, we’re joined by Richard Pomfrett — founder of The Stay Safe Initiative CIC and creator of the transformative Boyz-2-Men programme.
With over 25 years of experience working with children and young people, Richard has become a respected national voice on youth safety, character development, and redefining masculinity in today’s digital world. From his roots in martial arts to founding a CIC dedicated to protecting and empowering young people, Richard has been working in schools since 2013 — tackling bullying, online exploitation, toxic influences, and the confusion many boys face around what it really means to be a man.
Through Boyz-2-Men, Richard is building a bridge between boyhood and manhood — helping young men ask deeper questions, challenge online role models, and become the kind of men they want to be.
In this episode, we dive into:
🔹 The evolution of masculinity: what boys are facing today vs. a generation ago
🔹 How online influencers and toxic role models are shaping modern masculinity
🔹 Why schools need more than policies — they need people with presence
🔹 The Boyz-2-Men approach: giving boys permission to be vulnerable and self-reflective
🔹 Digital citizenship, peer mentorship, and the future of male leadership
🔹 Real stories from the front lines of youth education and intervention
🔹 Why Richard believes masculinity must be reclaimed, not rejected
Key Themes:
✅ Healthy masculinity starts with critical thinking, not shame
✅ Empowering boys means meeting them where they are — not where we wish they were
✅ Online safety isn’t just about danger — it’s about identity, values, and belonging
✅ Masculinity isn’t in crisis — but it is in confusion
✅ Peer-led mentorship can be one of the most powerful tools in youth development
Powerful Quotes from Richard:
“You can’t be what you can’t see — we need more men showing up with courage and compassion.”
“Masculinity isn’t toxic. Confused masculinity, ungrounded and reactive, is what’s dangerous.”
“We’re not telling boys what kind of men to be — we’re helping them ask the right questions.”
“Every boy has a story — our job is to make sure it doesn’t go unheard.”
Links & Resources:
http://thestaysafeinitiative.org.uk/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-pomfrett-230b63189/
https://www.instagram.com/thestaysafeinitiative/ https://x.com/StaySafeCIC
30 days 30 Insights www.truuman.io/30-days
The Foundry: www.thefoundrycic.org.uk
