Since 2023, Active Lancashire has worked with Bristol-based Boxing charity Empire Fighting Chance to support multiple organisations across Lancashire in accessing Empire’s Box Champions approach. Training and learning has meant that 38 practitioners across 12 organisations have been able to gain the skills and knowledge to deliver provision designed to support the mental and emotional wellbeing of young people across Lancashire.
Active Lancashire recently invited Empire Fighting Chance to Preston, where they were able to connect with organisations delivering the Box Champions programme across the county. In a blog post on their website, Empire spoke positively about the visit, stating:
“Recently, we headed up to Preston to strengthen our growing partnership with Active Lancashire and connect with the fantastic organisations delivering change across the county.
With several delivery partners already operating across Preston and wider Lancashire, our visit was about listening, learning, and sharing how Empire Fighting Chance are supporting local communities through physical activity and mentorship.
We held two key meetings during our time in Preston. The first took place at Preston Youth Zone, where we met with existing and prospective partners working directly with young people.
We were joined by representatives from Lancashire Youth Challenge, Lancashire Youth Justice, Lancashire County Council and the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU). This was a great opportunity to share the work we’re doing nationally through our Boxing for Good programmes, and to hear first-hand about the challenges and opportunities faced by youth services in Preston.
Our second meeting, hosted at Preston Town Hall, brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including councillors and key city decision-makers. It was incredibly encouraging to see such strong cross-sector support and a shared commitment to creating positive outcomes for young people across the city. The key message throughout our visit was simple: we’re here to work with you. Empire Fighting Chance is committed to helping organisations across Lancashire harness the power of boxing to transform lives.
Empire CEO Martin Bisp said : “It was a great couple of days in Preston with Active Lancashire and Lancashire Youth Challenge. The purpose was to meet other organisations and institutions in the area and understand what future collaboration could look like.
It was exciting to see how they have been using our model to work across the region, helping young people improve their mental health and exit criminal behaviour. It showed me the importance of community, working together and sharing ideas. Preston is a better place because of their vision.”
We will be working with more organisations across the region to create a joined up, local approach to ensure young people can access appropriate, community support consistently and earlier. We know this is better for everyone, the young people, their families and the town.”
A huge thank you to our hosts and everyone who took the time to meet with us. We’re excited about what’s ahead and look forward to building on the momentum from this trip.”
Ronan McMahon, Preston Place Manager at Active Lancashire, added, “It was great welcoming Martin and Empire Fighting Chance colleagues to Lancashire, spending time with existing partners and key stakeholders to explore how we can align our focus on reducing health and social inequalities.
Alongside Empire Fighting Chance we are harnessing our strengths and influence to empower local organisations. Inspired by Empire’s ‘Box Champions’ approach, a collaboration of Lancashire based organisations are leading a ‘Movement for Change’ reimagining mental and emotional well-being support combined with movement, using non-contact Boxing and other activities.
I’d like to thank Martin, the EFC team and all our partners for their continued support, dedication and energy innovating change for young people and places across Lancashire.
Our partnership with EFC continues to grow and gain momentum as we move together into an exciting future for Lancashire”
To find out more about the partnership between Active Lancashire and Empire Fighting Chance, click any of the links below.
- From Gloves to Growth: Shunem Shamshad’s Journey of Transformation and Empowerment Thanks to Empire Fighting Chance
- Archbishop Temple High School: Using Boxing as a Tool to Boost Boys’ Mental Health in School
- Lancashire Youth Challenge: From Reflection to Revolution: Sharing the Principles That Changed Us
