From 2009, Fight For Change has been working with partners in London to deliver a boxing training and coach development programme within the communities of Southwark and Lambeth. Working from the Lillian Bayliss Community Sports Hub, the project works with local partners to deliver a comprehensive boxing engagement and training programme for 14 – 19 year olds who are currently inactive or under-represented in sport. We also deliver targeted projects for women and ethnic minority groups interested in boxing.
In 2011, with funding from the PlaySport London programme, this initiative has been formalised as the Fight For Change Academy, with Gym facilities, classrooms and office space being secured on site.
Within this setting the project also delivers educational projects and employability projects for unemployed and under employed groups in the area, and crime diversion and offender rehabilitation projects in partnership with the Metropolitan police, local Youth Offending teams, Community Action Zone and Changebox Training.
Following consultation with all parties, Fight For Change staff oversee a tailored programme that can offer some, or all, of the following:
- Boxing Coaching
- Weight Training and fitness coaching
- Personal and Social Development courses
- Boxing Tutors Award
- Community Sports Leaders Award
- Open College Network Courses
- Mentoring
- Work Placement
In delivering this programme we will capacity the local community to utilise the facilities at the community sports hub, improve the employability of individual participants, and offer new role models and community leadership skills to the wider community in the area.
