Participants pull no punches to praise York boxing sessions

Participants at boxing classes run by The Salvation Army in York pulled no punches when talking about the positive impact the sport is having to help them overcome mental health and addiction struggles. 

The classes form part of the church and charity’s Early Intervention and Prevention Project, run by service manager Charlie Malarkey, which aims to help people get back on their feet after they have struggled with homelessness, addictions and their mental health.

Sessions for men and women of all ages, which are not for the fainthearted, are held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 9am and 10am and Sunday between 7am and 8am at York Boxing Gym with participants put through rigorous rounds of circuit training using bikes, treadmills and ropes before getting the chance to throw some punches in the ring. 

One woman who had been homeless and had struggled with addiction previously, was introduced to the sessions when living in a hostel. 

She said: “When I got clean, I started coming back to boxing and it feels like home. You’re made to feel welcome, there’s no judgement and no big egos. 

“For me it helps me mentally and physically. Mentally because it gives me a purpose and something to focus on. There are days when I don’t want to get up and go but when I do I feel better for it. It also burns away that negative energy and frustration, anything that’s going on in my head I can just release it here and that’s the power of this. 

“I think it’s amazing what they do here. The Salvation Army is phenomenal in what they do to help people and give them a chance. That’s what people need, a chance and some encouragement. I know the door is always open here.” 

One participant said: “I get depressed and I get panic attacks. I’ve been bad with stuff like drugs and drink in the past, but when you get here and you train as hard as you do, you feel brilliant. 

“For anybody looking to get fitter it’s really good, but it’s more the mental stuff for me. Physically I feel stronger, but mentally I feel better. It’s shocking how good it is for you mentally.” 

And another young woman, aged 24, who had been helped by Charlie to get into a hostel when she was living on the streets struggling with an alcohol addiction, said: “I had never done anything like boxing before. At first I was nervous, but it’s helped me build up my confidence, it gives me something to do and a routine. 

“I feel really good, really happy within myself, I’m more confident, bubbly and I’ve got my spark back. Without the support I am not sure where I’d be today, I think I’d be struggling.” 

Charlie said: “I am so passionate about the positive impact sports like boxing can have on our clients who are struggling with addiction and mental health. To watch people improve, not just physically becoming fitter, but to grow in confidence and resilience is brilliant.” 

The sessions are supported by Chocolate and Co, a café and charity which gives training and job opportunities to people who have struggled with homelessness and The Salvation Army’s new leaders in York, Majors Andrew and Andrea Vertigan, who are on hand to provide ministry and spiritual support to participants. 

They are also leading on developing a city-wide strategy for The Salvation Army in York which will encompass the work done by the church and their outreach in homelessness, and collaborate with Charlie’s New Earswick KO for Kindness Wellbeing Facility which is in the process of being built. 

Major Andrew said: “We’ve been really impressed with the work that Charlie has been doing to help the most vulnerable across the city and I’ve seen firsthand the improvements being made to people’s lives. This is what The Salvation Army is all about.” 

Tony Daniels, The Salvation Army’s Territorial Director of Community Services, who recently visited a boxing session, said: “It was so evident to me that this vision is giving life, hope, health, peace, confidence, restoration, transformation, and self-esteem to so many individuals. This project is a great example of ‘church without walls’.” 

The Early Intervention and Prevention Project hosts a drop-in Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 10am and 12pm from its base in Lawrence Street supporting rough sleepers to access food, clothing and signposting to services.