Introducing Kronik Warrior UK Disability Sport and Wellbeing Service
Kronik Warrior is the only fully affiliated England Boxing Club, exclusively for Adaptive Boxing and we pride ourselves on delivering a pioneering inclusion boxing, fitness and wellbeing programme, that is tailored to each individual's needs.
We work with a diverse range of Tribe members to build not only functional fitness levels, core strength, stability and coordination, but confidence and a sense of belonging that comes from training and interacting with others that share similar challenges and experiences.
What sets us apart is our remarkable team of coaches and mentors, all of whom live with a disability or long-term health condition and have extensive experience coaching sport with SEND.
Recognising that sport is not a one-size-fits-all activity, we are dedicated to breaking down barriers and being able to show people that no matter the challenge, boxing is a sport for everyone to enjoy participating. Our supportive group environment empowers everyone to release their inner champion.
In addition to our fitness classes, we provide wellbeing support, and nutrition advice that aligns with the government's 'eat well' recommendations. We also offer cost-effective, healthy recipes that are accessible to prepare.
At Kronik Warrior UK, we are passionate about creating a safe and welcoming space for both groups and individuals. We believe we have discovered the key to providing a safe, progressive, and fully inclusive adaptive boxing and wellbeing program.
Mental health and wellbeing are extremely important to us and something that is close to our hearts. In 2022, 112 people lost their lives to suicide every week and to shine a light on mental health struggles we decided to undertake CHALLENGE 112.
Charity Wheelchair Treadmill Challenge
From 4th to 10th September 2023 Kronik Warrior Founder and Director Luiz Faye will push 112km on an Invictus Active Wheelchair Treadmill, Kronik Warrior Director Martin will complete 112 miles on a leg powered treadmill and Kronik Warrior Director Chris will be joining us for the final leg of the challenge, completing 112, 2 minute wheelchair boxing rounds, all in support of those who been affected by mental health and suicide and to promote the benefits of sport for positive mental health management.
Luiz Faye, Founder and Director of Kronik Warrior UK says,
“I have managed anxiety and depression since 2014. When I found boxing, I found hope again for my future. It changed, if not saved my life. Having been involved in the sport since 2018, I have met countless people who have shared their mental health stories with me, in which they too found solace in boxing and other sports.
I wanted to create a challenge, outside of boxing. Something I had never done before. When I came up with this idea, the furthest I had pushed in my wheelchair was around 6 miles when I visited the Giants Causeway in November 2022. I will need to push an average of 16km (9.94miles) every day for 7 days to complete Challenge 112.”
To raise funds to support our brand new Inclusive Sports and Activities Program in Manchester and Rotherham for people with disabilities & long-term health conditions and their families.
The much loved functional adaptive boxing training will remain a key feature of our sessions, with an exciting opportunity to explore a range of adapted sports and exercise activities throughout the year.
We will collaborate with partners and local organisations to deliver safe sessions with instructors who have experience in delivering adaptive classes.
All coaches and volunteers manage disabilities and long-term health conditions of their own. We adapt the activity, (physical/cognitive) and teaching method to suit the individual within a group setting. All participants will learn new functional skills, transferrable into daily life.
This provides a unique opportunity for participants with SEND to enjoy inclusive sport with a team who have lived experience of taking part in/coaching sport with a disability. When we say we get it… we really do!
- Adaptive Movement & Exercise sessions (including wheelchair basketball, para dance, yoga, cardio workouts, goal ball and lots more)
- Inclusive games and activities (including specialist sensory equipment)
- Healthy snacks and drinks included.
- Accessible cooking tips and nutrition advice, including a fun and engaging ‘Super-food challenge’.
- Mental Health First Aid & Signposting available at all sessions
- Aromatherapy workshops
- Social and Team Building Events
Participants will:
*Improve overall fitness, strength, balance, and coordination/fine motor skills *Increase cardiovascular health, muscle tone and bone density.
*Have a better understanding of the body and how to look after it, empowering members to manage their daily challenges. *Develop new skills and tools to positively manage mental health which will improve overall confidence and self-esteem.
*Safe space to talk openly about disability and the challenges we face, and how to overcome them, share experiences and advice.
*Meet new people, develop communication skills – all of which can improve overall confidence, encourage social interactivity, the journey into (or return to) further education or employment.
*By providing accessible, budget friendly recipes, the participants and carers are better equipped & empowered to cook and eat healthy meals. This also promotes positive weight management, in line with the UK Government recommendations & Eat Well Plate.
*We offer regular blood pressure checks & monitoring (optional). Together this encourages participants to live a healthier, more active lifestyle overall.
*Mental First Aider present at all sessions, providing support and signposting to local/national services.
The funds we raise from this challenge will be used to deliver of our adaptive boxing and inclusive activities programmes at Manchester, Rotherham and to purchase much needed specialist adaptive equipment and sensory play items.
•Women & girls class (Manchester & Rotherham)
•Mixed juniors class (Manchester & Rotherham)
•Mixed adults class (Manchester & Rotherham)
To deliver this program, we require some specially adapted sports equipment and sensory games/toys.
- Sensory toys and games for our 'breakout area' (a quiet space for neurodivergent participants to use should they need a little bit of time out)
- Split adapted skipping ropes (for wheelchair users and people with mobility challenges)
- Resistance bands in various weights
- various sports balls: - sizes, sensory, audible (for visual impairment) textured etc
- hand cycle
- table boccia set
- pop-up goals
- support straps, braces
- Adapted hand weights in various sizes.
- Therapy colouring books and stationery
- Ear defenders (for the sensory breakout area)
- Secure storage box
Mental Health
Sport is a key component to managing mental health wellbeing.
MIND say that 1 in 4 people experience a mental health problem of some kind in each year and 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (like anxiety and depression) in any given week in England. Adults with disabilities report experiencing frequent mental distress almost 5 times as often as adults without disabilities. These statistics show there is a huge demand for mental health support of some kind and a place for people to go and be able to talk about their feelings. Sport England also says that sport and physical activity can contribute to happiness, improved self-esteem, reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
Physical Health – disabilities and long-term health conditions
As obesity and the amount of people been overweight increases this class is very much needed. Since 1993 the proportion of adults in England who are overweight or obese has risen from 52.9% to 64.3%, and the proportion who are obese has risen from 14.9% to 28.0%. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in disabled adults in 2021/22 is also a lot higher with not disabled at 61% and disabled at 73%. This project will have a huge impact on the members and provide them with healthy and active habits for life.
Women & Girls
Some of the barriers to participating in sport as a female (puberty, menstruation, post pregnancy, menopause).
Big sister research found that “Periods can limit girls going training as their in pain and uncomfortable”. Big sister stated exercise can help to prevent numerous issues that affect the lives of girls and women, from anxiety/self-harm during the teenage years to osteoporosis that can plague women in later life. There are more disabled women than men. 24 per cent of women in the UK are disabled, compared to 20 per cent of men therefore this project is very important to us.
As part of our ‘Women Box Period’ campaign, we provide free Feminine hygiene products at all classes and free personal care packs are available to order on our website/collect from a gym hub.
There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.
1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!
2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.
3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!
4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!
