A Sheffield-based initiative is working to prevent violence against women and girls by educating young children about harmful behaviours and attitudes before they take root.
The One Goal programme, run by Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programmes, delivers interactive workshops aimed at challenging stereotypes and encouraging positive relationship habits among young people.
By addressing problematic attitudes early, the initiative seeks to break the cycle of gender-based violence before it begins.
Molly Bulmer, coordinator of the workshops, highlights the importance of tackling misconceptions surrounding abusive relationships.
Ms Bulmer said: “It’s such a misconception that people think you can just get up and leave an abusive relationship. Even just sexist comments are incidents that people need to be pulled up on.”
A key component of the workshops is a Monopoly-inspired game that helps children identify and discuss both positive and negative behaviours in relationships. The interactive format encourages open conversations, helping young participants recognise early warning signs of toxic dynamics.
Ms Bulmer emphasised that intervention at a young age is critical: “If we can change behaviours with young people while they’re still malleable and still learning, they’re much more likely to adapt and embrace positive behaviours instead of getting stuck in their ways, like previous generations have.”
After years of working in the sector, Bulmer finds the impact of the programme deeply fulfilling. With a background in domestic and sexual abuse work, she was asked to support the project to bring it to life.
She said: “It’s a really rewarding job. People aren’t in this for any other reason than they want to make a change. This is something that’s quite close to me and really important to be a part of.”
Following its success last year, the programme has expanded to more schools and has requested additional funding to increase its impact.
“If a young person is in a household with abuse, they may see their circumstances as normal. Therefore, starting this conversation in schools is really important to get them thinking. If we can target them at a young age, hopefully, in future generations, we won’t have these same issues.”
The recent release of the Netflix show Adolescence has sparked wider discussions about the role of schools in educating young people on violence against women and gender equality.
Ms Bulmer believes schools must do more to integrate these topics into the curriculum.
She said: “I think it’s important this gets taught in school, as it’s something that doesn’t really get addressed. Schools should dedicate more time to these conversations.”
Ms Bulmer stressed that harmful gender stereotypes often develop early, even in playground settings: “These habits start young things like ‘girls can’t play football’ or ‘girls can’t do this.’ These ideas should be challenged earlier, and teachers should be more aware of how important their responses are.”
By fostering awareness and encouraging open discussions, the One Goal programme hopes to create lasting change, ensuring future generations grow up with healthier perspectives on relationships and gender equality.
As part of its efforts to further raise awareness, the programme is hosting a tournament on 31 May for children involved in the scheme, reinforcing the lessons taught in workshops through sport and teamwork.