Partner Spotlight: Boxing for Better

Boxing For Better C.I.C. is a community organisation based in Wigan, using non-contact boxing and guided reflection to build confidence, resilience, and positive habits in young people. Our aim isn’t to create elite boxers, but to create great people through boxing. Every session combines fun, physical activity with “lessons from the ring” such as Throw your hat in the ring (be brave), Back against the ropes (overcome setbacks), and Who’s in your corner? (surround yourself with support).

In just a few short years, Boxing For Better has become one of Wigan’s most recognised community programmes. We were named Inclusive Sports Programme of the Year 2025, runner-up for Club of the Year at the Believe in Sport Awards, and Social Enterprise of the Year at the 2025 Wigan Borough Business Awards. Nationally, we were one of only 500 organisations across the UK to be honoured as Coronation Champions by King Charles and Queen Camilla. From our very first year, when we won Community Project of the Year (2021), to today, we’ve consistently stood out for the quality, inclusivity, and impact of our delivery.

How we work with AllChild

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Our partnership with AllChild allows us to work with the children who need us most. Schools identify young people facing challenges — from attendance and behaviour to wellbeing and resilience — and together with AllChild, we deliver tailored programmes that give those pupils a safe space to move, reflect, and grow. AllChild’s network has also helped us connect families to wider opportunities in the community, ensuring the impact extends well beyond the school gates.

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Why our work matters

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Our sessions mix energetic pad-work and drills with structured reflection. This combination is powerful for social, emotional, and academic outcomes:

• Social: pupils gain a sense of belonging and often take on new peer roles as supporters and encouragers.

• Emotional: young people leave calmer, more confident, and better able to self-regulate.

• Academic: schools often report higher attendance and focus on “boxing days,” with pupils returning to class ready to learn.

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At Westleigh, one pupil, Louise (not her actual name), has shown just how transformative this work can be. Louise has experienced significant trauma, including the loss of a parent, and found it difficult to focus in school or make positive choices. At her very first session, she walked out and refused to join in. But within weeks, she became a shining light — a role model for her group. This year, unusually, she has been signed up for the programme again. When some new pupils were reluctant to take part, Louise immediately stepped in with encouragement and reassurance, supporting our coach and ensuring everyone engaged fully. She has become not just a participant, but a leader.

Plans for the future

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Looking ahead, we plan to expand our reach into more schools across Wigan and Greater Manchester, while also offering training for teachers in using boxing metaphors as everyday pastoral tools. We are continuing to grow our free community boxing sessions, making them accessible across the borough so every young person can take part. Alongside this, we are supporting statutory services such as the Youth Offending Team and Probation, using boxing to reduce offending by improving wellbeing, connection, and aspiration for those on the edge of society.

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