Andrew Bernard
Toxic Masculinity - Male Health, Behaviours and Attitudes - Careers Education
Andrew ‘Bernie’ Bernard is a nationally recognised figure in the world of careers and enterprise skills, making an impressive name for himself where the world of business meets the world of education.
However, in recent years he has turned his attention to an even more pressing issue - that of helping boys grow up to be healthy, caring and happy men despite the pressures around them to the contrary.
After losing his sister, Sarah, to a partner who displayed the worst traits of coercive control and violence towards women (and who is currently serving a life sentence for her murder), Bernie is now applying his skills as an engaging and memorable speaker, presenter and author to an issue that affects us all.
Alongside contributing to events across the UK and delivering CPD and keynotes at education conferences, Bernie also works in schools with students, staff and parents on a regular basis.
In this way, he estimates he has spoken to over 56,000 young people about toxic masculinity, coercive control and domestic abuse.
"Empathy, guidance, kindness, love, support and interest can be overlooked – but never replaced."
Andrew 'Bernie' Bernard
Recent titles include:
- 'Look What you Made Me Do!' - Insights into Coercive Control
- What Makes a (Hu)Man - Tackling the Manosphere
- Every Teacher a Careers Teacher - Setting Up The Ladder
Bernie first came to our attention for his work helping to establish and run National Careers Week and we were delighted when he agreed to write his first book for us, The Ladder: Supporting students towards successful futures and confident career choices.
In it he demonstrates how 'every teacher is a careers teacher', sharing tips, ideas and insights that will help educational professionals support all children and young people with their future plans.
We are now equally delighted that he is currently writing another book for us, this time on the topic of helping schools help boys become the men we need them to be.
With an unconventional background that includes dropping out of school, football hooliganism and run-ins with the law (even though his dad was a policeman!), Bernie has a way of connecting with all young people with honesty, humour and impact.
What's more, following a scare with testicular cancer, Bernie decided he needed to talk openly and honestly about such matters in schools - you can read more about that side of his work in a blog post he wrote for us here.
This unique combination of gritty lived experience, skill as a presenter and author, and an in-depth understanding of the issues – combined with a personal passion to make difference in his sister's name – means Bernie is ideally placed to support schools as they face head on this most pressing of topics.
As the world still comes to terms with the issues highlighted in the shocking Netflix series Adolescence, we are delighted to be working with Bernie to help schools – young people, teachers, leaders and parents – understand the scale of the challenge and the many ways we can come together to address it to make society safer and happier for everyone.
Andrew Bernard In His Own Words
""WE ARE CULTURE – ALL OF US, SO WE ALL HAVE A VOICE IN SHAPING THE CULTURES WITHIN WHICH WE ALL LIVE"
To make an enquiry about booking 'Bernie' please give us a call on +44 (0)1267 211432 or fill in the Booking Enquiry form.
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- Bernie has been with Independent Thinking since January 2022
- He is an keen advocate for men's health
- You'll find his work in our Teaching and Learning and Well-Being topic areas
Enjoy a free no-obligation chat.
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Give us a call on +44 (0)1267 211432 or drop us a line at learn@independentthinking.co.uk.
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