Empire Fighting Chance was born on Bristol’s streets to fight the impact of deprivation on the lives of young people. We use a powerful combination of non-contact boxing and intensive personal support to challenge and inspire young people to realise their unique potential.

We exploit boxing’s grittiness to attract young people and use gaps between physical activities to inspire changes in how they think and behave. Young people do not access a ‘service’ but participate in sport and gain support in ways that feel natural. As a result, they turn up, trust us, and make changes in their lives.

Most of the young people whom we see live in poverty, poor housing and workless households. Exposed to toxic living conditions, they experience anger, anxiety, depression and other behavioural and emotional distress. Often, their mood is expressed in ways that can lead them into trouble - many have been excluded from school or involved in criminal behaviour. Most arrive at our doors after a series of failed interventions and are heading towards a life of poor health, unemployment and even prison.

Despite the chronic adversity that they face, we have yet to meet a young person who does not have strengths to build on to make positive changes in their lives.

We support over 5,000 young people across the UK each year. Our enjoyable, holistic approach transforms young lives. Young people return to school, exit gangs, develop positive relationships, get work, and feel healthier and happier.