I’m an Occupational Therapist and have been working within mental health for the past 5 years. I am also a qualified AM/PRO boxing trainer coaching out of Swanley Boxing Club and ex-professional boxer.
Patrick and I first initiated the idea of building a safeguarding framework around boxing when we worked together in the mental health team at Green Park House.
We developed a framework and initially felt that it could benefit professional boxers. We took the idea to the British Boxing Board who invited us to speak at one of their conferences. This was also aired on Sky Sports.
The concept evolved after finding and visiting Empire Fighting Chance in Bristol. They have a programme that they operate out of their boxing gym, but they also take it into schools to engage and support vulnerable young adults through boxing. This inspired me to start up a group for some of my patients which has now evolved into Off the Ropes, which I now run. We work in partnership with the NHS out of Goldie Leigh Hospital.