Facilitator Spotlight: Joshua Picton

This month, we’re shining a spotlight on Voicebox facilitator Joshua Picton. After training as an actor, Joshua found his way into facilitation through drama-based work with young people and has since built a passion for creating spaces where honest conversations can happen.

Known for his fair, playful and rigorous approach, he specialises in discussions around mental health, masculinity and identity, helping young people feel heard, challenged and respected. We caught up with Joshua to hear more about his journey into facilitation, what motivates his work, and why curiosity is just as important as having an opinion.

Can you tell us about yourself and what brought you to facilitation?

I originally trained as an actor and worked professionally for a few years after drama school. Alongside acting, I worked in hospitality, but I realised I wanted to use more of the skills I’d developed through theatre. That led me into working with young people through drama-based projects, which then opened the door to facilitation work with London theatres and eventually Voicebox.

What specific skills or experiences do you feel make you effective in the room?

I’m very comfortable facilitating conversations around mental health and masculinity, particularly where those topics overlap. I try to approach discussions in a way that’s direct but never judgemental. I’ve also been told that I make people feel comfortable quite quickly, which helps young people open up and engage honestly.

How would you describe your facilitation style in 3 words?

Fair, playful and rigorous.

What makes a 'successful' session for participants?

For me, success is about creating authentic conversations. Early on, I probably hoped every session would feel transformational, but I’ve realised the real impact often comes from simply getting young people to engage honestly.

If a young person feels comfortable enough to share what they genuinely think - even if I disagree with it - that’s valuable.

It creates an opportunity for them to hear different perspectives and step outside their usual echo chambers. Sometimes Voicebox may be one of the only spaces where they can have those conversations openly and respectfully.

How do you create safe, inclusive spaces for young people?

It starts with setting high expectations. Young people usually respond well when you make it clear that their opinions matter, but also that conversations need to stay respectful and considerate of others.

A lot of our sessions naturally become debates, so it’s important to model what a healthy discussion looks like: listening, disagreeing respectfully and approaching difficult topics with kindness and fairness. As facilitators, we have to hold ourselves to those same standards too.

What’s been your most memorable facilitation experience?

One experience that’s really stayed with me was working with a Year 8 student at an SEND school who had become heavily influenced by online “manosphere” content. Before the session, staff warned me that he held quite extreme views, but once we started talking it became clear that, more than anything, he wanted to be heard.

We ended up talking throughout the entire lunch break. Although many of his views were difficult to hear, what also came through was that he’d had a very tough upbringing and was looking for certainty, belonging and positive male role models.

What felt important about that conversation was that it wasn’t confrontational. Instead of shutting him down, we were able to explore where his ideas came from and gently challenge them through discussion and trust. It reminded me how important empathy is when working with young people, especially those who are often written off or labelled.

What do you hope participants take away from your sessions?

I hope participants leave feeling that their views were listened to and respected, while also having heard a different perspective.

A lot of online conversations around masculinity and identity are driven by anger and division. In person, things can feel very different.

When young people experience open conversations without judgement or hostility, it can lower the temperature around difficult topics and make future conversations feel possible.

What motivates you personally to do your work with Voicebox?

I grew up around a lot of positive examples of masculinity - men who were kind, emotionally open, consistent and supportive. I know not everyone has that experience.

The work I do with Voicebox is motivated by wanting young men to see alternative ways of being masculine: that strength can look like empathy, kindness and making other people feel safe. I certainly don’t get it right all the time myself, but those are the values I try to lead with.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone attending a workshop with you for the first time?

Come with an opinion or come with curiosity.

The most rewarding sessions aren’t necessarily the easiest ones - they’re the ones where people are willing to engage. Whether someone agrees, disagrees or simply wants clarification, having something to contribute is always valuable.

Find out more about Voicebox's workshops