Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2021, day one: Empire Fighting Chance

Born on the streets of Bristol to fight the effects of deprivation on young lives, Empire Fighting Chance now has an impact across the region.

The charity’s pioneering approach harnesses the power of boxing to make a difference to people from marginalised communities.

Using a combination of non-contact boxing and intensive personal support, Empire helps to change the way young people think and behave, boosting mental wellbeing and addressing complex issues, such as knife crime, low aspirations and a lack of opportunities.

The Empire Amateur Boxing club has existed in the city for more than 50 years, working with thousands of young people. Through former boxer and Empire ambassador Chris Sanigar, the club has produced British, Commonwealth, European and World Champions.

The story of the charity as it is today began 12 years ago when founders, Martin and Jamie, spotted two young men dealing drugs in a park near Empire Boxing Gym. They invited the pair to join them for a private training session and discussed the issues they faced. Within weeks, 50 young people were attending sessions five nights a week.

Speaking about Empire’s impact, Emily Haberfield, the charity’s fundraising and marketing executive, said: “We exist to support young people from deprived neighbourhoods. The toll that poverty takes on families is huge and can include family breakdown, abuse and household dysfunction.

“Significant numbers of young people we support are from communities experiencing racial inequality. Faced with conditions that are toxic to wellbeing, they struggle with their mental health. Their distress is often expressed in ways that can lead them into trouble, including poor behaviour in school, drug misuse and gang crime. The multiple complex issues they face prevent them from engaging in education and employment.”

https://twitter.com/EmpireFightingC/status/1464299589431873544

Empire delivers three programmes:

• Training with Champions: Young people participate in a 20-week programme combining boxing, mentoring and psychological support. Each session is named after a famous boxing champion and features a structured programme of physical activities and evidence-based personal development messages to create healthier thinking.
• Boxing Therapy: Young people experiencing more acute issues gain therapeutic support from a trained therapist while learning how to box. Rather than access a mental health service, which can be intimidating and stigmatising, they participate in sport and naturally receive support.
• Careers: Young people benefit from a range of support that combines boxing with psychology and personal development to help them to progress into a chosen career. Among other things, Empire offers a six-week course for 14 to 16-year-olds to raise aspirations and start developing career plans, sports-based qualifications and an experiential enterprise programme.

The charity reaches around 5,000 young people each year across the South West and Wales.

Empire is running a Christmas give, whereby people can choose from a range of gifts to make a difference to young lives. Find out more via www.empirefightingchance.org/2021/11/12/empires-christmas-give/

Empire Fighting Chance – photo courtesy of Empire Fighting Chance (2)

Read more: ‘Knife crime is not the disease but a serious symptom’

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: