Macho Republic
Empowering Boys to Lead With Courage, Respect, and Purpose
About Us
Macho Republic is a Community Interest Company committed to helping boys and young men build healthier, more resilient futures. We believe that positive masculinity can be a powerful force for good, strengthening individuals, relationships, and communities.
Why We Do What We Do
Positive masculinity is essential.
We recognise that unhealthy examples and outdated notions of masculinity can contribute to systemic inequalities, poor mental health, and social harm. Through education, mentorship, advocacy, and community engagement, we empower men and boys to embrace values of strength, kindness, emotional intelligence, responsibility, and respect. In doing so, we help cultivate healthier relationships, workplaces, schools, and communities.
At the heart of our work is TRUE COMPASS, our flagship programme designed to equip boys and young men with the character, resilience, and emotional intelligence needed to navigate the challenges of modern life. Rather than simply reacting to issues after they emerge, True Compass helps young people develop a healthy understanding of masculinity rooted in purpose, accountability, empathy, and self-respect.
The need for this work has never been greater.
Men account for 75–80% of all suicides, making suicide one of the leading causes of death for men under 50. Since 2010, suicide rates have risen by 30% among younger men aged 25–34, and suicide is the leading cause of death for young men in more than 50 countries.
Knife crime in England and Wales reached approximately 50,500 offences in 2024, with young people under 25 disproportionately affected. At the same time, boys and young men continue to face rising levels of loneliness, poor mental health, online radicalisation, and violence.
These are not isolated issues. They point to a generation searching for identity, belonging, and positive role models in an increasingly complex world.
Our vision is a society where every boy grows into a man guided by confidence rather than insecurity, purpose rather than pressure, and character rather than harmful stereotypes. By providing positive frameworks for healthy masculinity through programmes like True Compass, we aim to reduce violence, strengthen mental wellbeing, build stronger relationships, and create communities where everyone can thrive.
Through evidence-based education, strategic partnerships, and early intervention, we are helping shape a generation of men who are not only resilient themselves, but who make those around them stronger too.
What We Do
true compass Programme
True Compass is Macho Republic’s flagship programme for schools, designed to help boys and young men develop the confidence, character, and resilience needed to thrive in today’s world.
Through engaging workshops, meaningful discussion, and practical learning, participants explore what healthy masculinity looks like in practice, learning to navigate peer pressure, manage emotions, build respectful relationships, communicate effectively, and make decisions that reflect their values. Rather than telling young people who to be, True Compass gives them the tools to think critically, lead with integrity, and develop a strong sense of identity rooted in purpose and self-respect.
At a time when many boys are looking to social media and online influencers for guidance, True Compass offers something different: a positive, evidence-informed framework that equips them with the skills to flourish both personally and socially.
By working alongside schools, youth organisations, and communities, we create safe spaces where young people can ask difficult questions, challenge harmful stereotypes, and develop the emotional intelligence needed to become compassionate friends, confident leaders, and responsible men. Our goal is simple, to help young people discover their true compass and carry it with them for life.
Team
Founder: Shiva Quashie
Shiva has over a decade of experience designing and managing programmes that create lasting social and economic impact, working across the public, private, and voluntary sectors. He works with schools and communities to help boys and young men build confidence, resilience, and character through healthy models of masculinity and positive leadership.
Board Chair: Joanna Bingham
Joanna founded Footprints Africa, running programmes to support over 200 companies across the African continent to embed inclusive, environmentally sustainable practices in their businesses. With a background in investment, she is passionate about governance. Joanna sits on the Board of 3 non-profits and regularly mentors young people.
Board Member: Ola Christian
Ola is the founder of LEVILE, a casting platform and creative hub that connects talents and content on a local and global scale.
LEVILE has built an extensive network of over 20,000 creatives that have worked across feature films, short films, digital content and music videos and commercial’s. Some of their clients include Nike, Penguin Random House, Universal Music Group and more.
Board Member: Arun Sharma
Arun works in education for employability and co-leads two organisations working in this area, covering education (content, platforms) and placements (outsourcing, consulting). From Canada and India, Arun is based in Europe and collaborates closely with colleagues from North America and Africa.
We are also supported by a dedicated team of part-time and freelance contributors.
We are always interested in connecting with passionate individuals who share our values and vision. Whether you want to work with us, are curious to learn more about Macho Republic, or simply wish to reach out, we’d love to hear from you.
Contact Us
To enquire about working with us or to learn more about our Roundtable Discussions and the True Compass Project, please contact us using the email below.
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