“I came from having anger issues, so BoxWise was very good for my mental health as it provides a different outlet for my anger. It’s a good way to get rid of that energy. After a session in the gym, I feel more relaxed mentally – it allows me to put my thoughts in order.”
- BOXWISE GRADUATE
“After the 10- week programme, I wanted to work on a building site but couldn’t do that without a CSCS qualification. BoxWise helped me get my CSCS card.
I studied online in preparation and then BoxWise booked me in for my test on the date I chose, and they paid for it because I couldn’t afford it at the time. Once I got my card, I signed up with a number of agencies and I’m now working as a labourer on different building sites, which I really enjoy.”
- BOXWISE GRADUATE
“It was a great experience. It brought a different atmosphere into the gym. There was much more focus on working together as a group and team building. We played team building games which brought us all closer together as a group and I grew closer to the other lads. This wouldn’t have happened without BoxWise.”
- BOXWISE GRADUATE
“This one young lad who had been in a bit of trouble with the police – a lovely boy, who had just fallen in with the wrong crowd. He found the first 3 weeks of the programme really difficult. After that he started excelling to the point where he was looking at becoming an amateur boxer.
He lost so much weight and got really fit, but he also stopped getting into trouble with the police. It gave him a fresh perspective. We then helped him with a pathway to get into the army cadets, which was his dream – and which he didn’t think would happen because he’d previously been rejected from the police cadets.”
- BOXWISE COACH
“I’ve grown up in sports and know first hand the power of sports for keeping the youth on the straight and narrow. BoxWise is amazing because it offers a safe place for some of the most disadvantaged young people in our society to come and train, get fed and take sound advice on their futures. Getting them onto courses, into apprenticeships, jobs and back to school. This is what we need more of for sports and for society."
- Dame Denise Lewis, British sports presenter and former Olympic Gold winning track and field athlete
“BoxWise changes lives, it’s that simple. If you take young people who have fallen through the cracks and invite them in for some boxing training, many come. Once they are in, you give them free meals and help them to move in a positive direction. It’s a winning formula that Nick has rolled out a cross the U.K. I’ve been to see BoxWise in action and it works. It makes young people happier and behave better. Add boxing to mentoring and the results are very strong. This is about inner city kids that no one is doing enough about. They are left alone to learn from local gangs and we wonder why they get into trouble. BoxWise uses boxing to interest them and then helps them to turn their lives around.”
- Liam Payne, British singer and former member of One Direction
“The social value that BoxWise provides to our communities is immeasurable. By interacting and engaging with young people from troubled backgrounds, developing and harnessing their skills for the greater good, BoxWise provides indispensable support to those seeking to improve their lives.”
- Andy Cook, CEO of the Centre for Social Justice
“When I was a boy growing up was hard. We lived on a rough estate, mother went to prison and I got into crime. It took time for me to realise that the best way to succeed in life is to find the right mentors and stick with them. Gangs and drugs are too easy. I’ve been fortunate to have found my own way to success through trading properties. I’ve appeared on national TV shows like Rich House, Poor House and have become a mentor to young people myself, as showcased on TV. Coming from a difficult background and having found success I am proud to give-back to society by being an Ambassador for BoxWise. I’ve been to plenty of their sessions, given talks to groups and to individuals. I love the way that BoxWise really works with the bad-boys to help them turn themselves around. It’s something that I really love being a part of as it works at a national level making a national difference to society. Cutting crime is all of our concern and something that does that is solid gold. They youngsters get a better life and the rest of us can watch out backs that much less. It’s also smart how BoxWise seeks out the deprived areas and gets in the right people who need the help. I always thank Nick for inviting me to get involved and take my hat off to him for the way he really gets stuck into it. Not many people like him actually get their hands dirty.”
