Hello Future’s “Breaking the Mould” project shortlisted for National Diversity & Inclusion Award.
Hello Future and the University of Cumbria are proud to announce that the Breaking the Mould project was shortlisted for the Diversity & Inclusion Award at the National Men and Boys Awards 2025.
The annual awards, led by the Association for Male Health and Wellbeing, celebrate outstanding initiatives that champion care, compassion and social change for men and boys across the UK.
The nomination was confirmed by the Chair of the Association for Male Health and Wellbeing, who praised the project’s “extraordinary commitment to developing the educational and career prospects of boys from disadvantaged rural communities.”
About “Breaking the Mould”
Breaking the Mould is a flagship outreach programme delivered by Hello Future, the Uni Connect partnership led by the University of Cumbria. The project works with Year 8 boys across Cumbria, aiming to:
- Challenge stereotypes around education, gender and careers
- Raise ambition in rural, coastal and isolated communities
- Build confidence, curiosity and motivation
- Broaden understanding of both vocational and academic pathways
- Provide early insight into future education and career options
The programme includes workshops, employer-led sessions and visits to universities, FE colleges, NHS settings and major regional employers. In its pilot year, Breaking the Mould supported 30 pupils across three secondary schools: Furness Academy, St Joseph’s Catholic High School and St John Henry Newman Catholic School.
As part of Hello Future’s broader outreach work, the partnership has now supported 25,000 young people aged 11–18 across Cumbria.
Reaction to the Shortlisting
Daniel Whitehouse, Programme Manager for Hello Future, said:
“We are incredibly proud that Breaking the Mould was recognised alongside such brilliant national initiatives. This shortlist reflects the hard work of our team, schools, employers and, most importantly, the young people who have embraced the project. Breaking the Mould shows the power of early intervention in building confidence, ambition and opportunity.”
Daniel Dutton, Head of Student Recruitment and Outreach at the University of Cumbria, added:
“I left the awards evening feeling proud of what we’ve achieved in Cumbria. While we didn’t win, standing alongside so many inspiring projects was a reminder of how important this work is. Breaking the Mould is already making a difference, and we’re excited to continue building on its success.”
Looking Ahead
Hello Future plans to continue Breaking the Mould in the coming year, working with a new cohort of boys from across Cumbria. They are also actively exploring funding to expand the project to more schools and young people, raising ambition and helping boys see a wider range of future possibilities.
For press enquiries, please get in touch with Daniel Whitehouse at Daniel.whitehouse@cumbria.ac.uk.
Image credits
Photographer: James Wainman.
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