Derby County Community Trust are proud to announce that one of the country’s leading law firms, Geldards, has pledged financial support to their Switching Formations programme.

The Switching Formations programme will be delivered by the Community Trust in local Secondary Schools, with the aim of reducing misogynistic behaviours in young males. The sessions delivered will challenge harmful gender stereotypes, build emotional intelligence, encourage respectful relationships and foster self-awareness.

The programme has been developed on the back of research that shows 61% of males aged 16-25 in the UK regularly engage with masculinity influencers and 35% of these have acted on influencer advice, including taking steroids or testosterone.

Geldards is a national law firm with offices in Cardiff, London, Nottingham and Derby and the firm has been based at Pride Park since 2002. The Switching Formations programme directly aligns with Geldards’ social value aims and a core commitment to making a positive impact in the local community.

Thanks to the support of Geldards, Derby County Community Trust will be able to maintain year round delivery, expand the programme to more Derby City Secondary Schools and upskill academy and club staff around the important topics associated with the programme.

Derby County Community Trust’s Head of Business Development, Chris Tomlinson, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Geldards for their support of the Switching Formations programme. Their commitment allows us to reach more young people across Derby, challenging harmful gender norms and helping to shape a more respectful, emotionally aware generation.”

Geldards Chairman David Williams, said:

“Geldards is proud to support Derby County Community Trust’s ‘Switching Formations’ programme, the work carried out by the Community Trust in our local secondary schools is of paramount importance. Empowering young people to make informed decisions and giving them the tools to challenge harmful stereotypes is an important building block in creating community cohesion.  As a local employer Geldards is committed to making positive improvements to the communities we serve, and where better to start than with the next generation.”