Young Carers Boxing Empowerment

Who we are

Champions 4 Change Wellbeing CIC is a community interest company which uses boxing, physical exercise and mentoring as a vehicle for positive change in people from all walks of life regardless of age, gender or social background. 

Our aim is to empower our clients through structured training and development to improve their health and fitness whilst learning the art of boxing; build positive relationships, confidence and self-esteem, and manage emotions in a constructive way to relieve stress.

Community impact

We have been delivering boxing empowerment programmes in the Royal Borough of Greenwich since 2019 and has won the Best of Greenwich Business Award 2020 for Health and Wellbeing.

Over the last 3 years, we have delivered successful boxing empowerment programmes to cohorts including:

• Young carers
• Vulnerable teenagers and young adults who are at risk of anti-social behaviour, gang memberships, drug dealing, knife and gun crime
• Young people with autism
• Adults and young people suffering with obesity and Type 2 diabetes
• Children at primary and secondary schools

Boxing Empowerment

Our Boxing Empowerment Programme consists of 2 elements: boxing and empowerment.   

The boxing element teaches young people the rules and discipline of boxing, structured physical exercise, boxing skills and ringcraft.

Empowerment involves assigning a mentor to each participant for 4 sessions during the programme.  During the empowerment sessions, mentors work with participants to develop actionable goals and provide support to ensure these goals are achievable.  Our experience shows that 95% of participants attain their individual goals. 

Participants who complete the programme will gain an ASDAN recognised boxing qualification which can act as a springboard for young people to gain further boxing and fitness qualifications, begin volunteering or progress to a career in sports and fitness.

Impact of COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic has had numerous negative impacts on young people over the past year, especially young adults in deprived inner city areas who have suffered significantly from lack of stimulation and physical exercise during COVID-19.

The easing of the lockdown restrictions means that young people's pent-up energy and frustration needs to channelled away from anti-social behaviours and crime. Therefore, it is key as restrictions ease that we aim to positively empower and give these young people a safe way to express themselves and develop.

Impact on young carers

The work of young carers are easily overlooked by the wider community.  Young carers have the additional responsibilty of looking after the needs of an adult disabled family member before going to school, and then returning home to continue caring. 

In addition, young carers often suffer discrimation from their peers at school because of their caring duties and their inability to engage in afterschool activities.

Why are we crowdfunding?

C4C has a large membership base of young people from within the Greenwich Borough, and throughout the lockdown C4C has stayed in close contact with its members and families. 

Our feedback has indicated that young carers have spent the COVID-19 lockdown at home during 2 summer breaks providing full-time care with little access to recreation or ability to mix with their peers.  

Post-pandemic, our boxing empowerment project will provide young carers with much needed recreation during the 2022 summer holidays.

How we intend to use any money raised

The funds raised will be used for:

1. Coaching and mentoring fees - £1,200

2. Venue hire - £650

3. Promotion on social media and flyers - £500

4. C4C branded T-shirts - £350

5. Consumables: Hand wraps - £150

6. Boxing gloves - £500

7. Boxing awards - £200.00