Our project will focus on the multiple benefits that non contact and contact boxing can bring to individual and group support through active participation. Involvement in our 'core' business as an amateur boxing club has grown over 70% in the last 12 months. Through bespoke piece of work we carried out with schools during Summer 2022 and through increased awareness on our social media platform and enquiries from numerous organisations across Skelmersdale - we have identified a need and a gap to provide an outreach service, that we hope within the next 12 months will enable the creation of a CIC to deliver a wider range of services based around the benefits of active participation. Our project will deliver sessions in the community that look to develop and increase confidence, self esteem, recognition of the benefits of being active, meet new people, create new networks and raise the positive aspects of participating in boxing.

What we'll deliver:

• Roll out or 'Boxing Together' program through outreach at community facilities across Skelmersdale
• Help to promote positive reinforcement for young people
• Work with partners to reduce ASB in Skelmersdale and create positive diversionary activities
• Promote a peer network of empowered young people
• Development of several case studies to highlight individual’s personal journeys through the project.
• Create confidence and self esteem building activities for unemployed people

Why it's a great idea:

Our Boxing Together project will provide a bespoke scheme across Skelmersdale that will work directly within some of the most deprived areas in Lancashire and offer different groups of participants to understand the health and well being benefits of being active. We will create a bespoke experience to engage with young people in schools and promote positive reinforcement of young people in the town through our peer network. Boxing Clubs are often community hubs within areas of high deprivation which are linked with high incidences of Crime and ASB. Young people participating in boxing are often excellent role models for other young people to aspire too, Boxers have credibility, as they often have experienced similar scenarios or come from similar backgrounds to the young people who may be at at risk. Being a boxer or being a member of a boxing club often gives a young person “street cred” that isn’t associated with any other sport.

Steps to get it done:

Our project will create a relaxed atmosphere with clear guidelines and a framework and atmosphere for participants not only to be active, but to able to talk and discuss their experiences in an environment, where they won’t be judged but supported to take positive action and participation. Our coaching staff are qualified ABA coaches, have all been DBS checked and include a dedicated safeguarding officer. We see this first foray into a structured community project as the prelude to establishing our own CIC in Skelmersdale and replicating the model of several other clubs nationally. We have support from several key partners, including the local authority, Active Lancashire, several schools through the OTF fund and through England Boxing