Over 50 of our centre members have been going to Wednesday evening boxing sessions at Halifax Star Boxing Club.
Run by current professional heavyweight boxer Josh Sandland and ex-boxer Andy Lowrie, Halifax Star has now received funding through Sport England’s Together Fund to develop the classes they offer refugees and people seeking asylum.
The sessions are really popular. One of our members says:
“I always look forward to our weekly boxing sessions on a Wednesday evening.
“Before moving to Halifax, I was feeling down and unfit. Being given the opportunity to get fit has not only helped my physical fitness but it has also had a positive impact on my mental health.
“I feel more integrated into society and I have an outlet. Of course I miss my family and previous life and always will, but for one hour I can get rid of my anger and frustration.”
Adrian, our Integration Manager, adds that the sessions are the highlight of many people's week:
“For people seeking sanctuary, there are lots of barriers which they face to access physical fitness. These include both mental and physical health trauma, isolation, lack of money and lack of knowledge of where to go.
“The sessions with Star Boxing have proved to be invaluable. They not only offer people an opportunity to get fit with the help of trained professionals but it also gives people the chance, for one hour a week, to forget their stresses and feelings of loss and to concentrate on themselves.
“The sessions are professionally run by Josh and his team, and they have built positive relationship with our centre members, which can be seen by the high rate of return from participants.”
Amber at Halifax Star Boxing Club says:
"Our relationship with the centre and its members is just becoming stronger and we really support what they do at the charity. As a boxing club we don’t just focus on boxing, we aim to help people mentally and physically and make a difference to people lives."
