Gloves Not Gangs

11/09/2026

Last night, I was contacted by a member of our community who wanted to anonymously hand in this knife.

We don’t need to know who they are, and we don’t need to know their story.

What matters is the decision they made.
A decision to put the knife down.
A decision not to carry it again.
A decision that could prevent a life-changing moment for themselves, another young person or another family.

For me, this shows why the work being done through Gloves Not Gangs CIC, Blades Down CIC and our Knockout Violence Project matters.
We’re not here just to teach boxing.
We use the gym, sport, mentoring and education to build relationships and trust. We want young people to have somewhere they feel able to talk, ask for help and make positive choices without being judged.
We are working within our community to challenge knife crime, violence, gang culture and criminal exploitation, while giving young people positive activities, positive influences and people they can turn to.
We know there is no quick fix to youth violence. One surrendered knife doesn’t solve the problem.
But today, there is one less knife being carried in our community.
That matters.
And we’ll keep doing everything we can, alongside our partners and our community, to reach young people before one bad decision becomes a permanent consequence.

04/09/2026

WE ARE BACK!

The KnockOut Violence Project is officially back in action with both the KnockOut Group and Girl Squad!

What a fantastic night tonight!

The Girl Squad kicked things off with some self-esteem work, while the KnockOut Group got stuck into a thought-provoking stereotype task.

We then got active with some boxing skills sessions, followed by a little friendly competition!

We finished the evening by celebrating Eden, who was awarded Star of the Week for her fantastic hard work, determination and commitment.

It was brilliant to see everyone back, getting involved, having fun and supporting each other.

We’re only just getting started!

03/08/2026

We are proud to announce that we are currently in the process of becoming a Community Interest Company (CIC), taking another major step towards building something long-term and sustainable for our community.

This move will allow us to strengthen the work we already do, create more opportunities for young people, and continue providing guidance, structure, discipline, and support where it is needed most.

We also want to recognise the ongoing work being done alongside our partners at Blades Down CIC. Their support, shared vision, and commitment to helping young people are helping take Gloves Not Gangs to the next level.

Together, we are focused on creating positive pathways for the youth in our community, keeping young people engaged, supported, and away from violence and gang culture through mentorship, discipline, fitness, and opportunity.

This is only the beginning.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support the mission. The community is stronger when we work together.

CIC StrongerTogether

05/03/2026

At Blades Down and Gloves Not Gangs, we believe prevention has to be practical. It has to meet young people where they are. That is why boxing plays such a powerful role the KnockOut Violence Project.

Boxing is often misunderstood. People see the sport and think aggression. What we see is discipline. Structure. Control.

When a young person steps into a session, they are not just learning how to throw a punch. They are learning how to regulate their breathing when their heart rate rises. They are learning how to stay focused under pressure. They are learning that power without control is pointless.

The mental health benefits are significant. Boxing provides a safe and healthy outlet for anger and frustration. The physical exertion releases tension and boosts mood. The routine of training offers stability, especially for young people whose lives may feel unpredictable. We see confidence grow session by session. Not loud, performative confidence, but the quiet kind that comes from knowing you can push through discomfort and achieve something.

There is also something incredibly empowering about progress. Hitting a personal best. Mastering a new combination. Completing a tough round and realising you did not quit. Those moments build resilience in ways a classroom sometimes cannot.

Physically, the benefits are clear. Improved cardiovascular health. Increased strength. Better coordination and balance. Boxing challenges the whole body. It encourages young people to look after themselves, to fuel properly, to rest, and to respect what their bodies are capable of.

But perhaps the most important impact is the shift in identity.

Through the KnockOut Violence Project, we create a space where young people are recognised for commitment, effort and growth. They are not labelled by mistakes or assumptions. They are part of a team. They have mentors who expect more from them. They are surrounded by peers choosing training over trouble.

The KnockOut Violence Project reinforces one core message. Real strength is self control. Real status comes from discipline. Real courage is walking away.

Boxing does not glorify violence in our programmes. It interrupts it. It redirects energy. It builds belonging. It gives young people a positive outlet and a clear alternative.

When a young person chooses gloves over gangs, that is not just a session completed. That is prevention in action.

05/02/2026

Gloves Not Gangs is proud to be part of World CP Boxing Club. Our mission is to give young people direction, structure, and positive choices through boxing, physical activity, and strong community values.

Our Gloves Not Gangs campaign plays a major role in supporting the wider community, helping school and youth members build practical skills, confidence, and a sense of purpose, while encouraging healthy routines and positive decision-making.

We provide a safe, supportive space where young people learn boxing skills, improve fitness, and focus on emotional wellbeing, teamwork, trust, and respect, values that sit at the heart of everything we teach. Through our classes, we guide young people down the right path, showing them that choices matter and support is always available.

Our 4:30pm beginners class is the perfect place to start, building foundations, confidence, and the right mindset, with clear progression into mainstream classes and opportunities to represent the club in competitions as they grow.

Gloves Not Gangs is about growth, discipline, and belief, helping young people become the best version of themselves.

16/01/2026

Another fantastic night at the Fearless Futures Project and the KnockOut Violence Project.
Our Fearless Futures session started strong, with the girls focusing on personal boundaries and our mentors leading the way. We were also delighted to welcome a new mentor this evening. Willow was a fantastic addition to the team, getting fully involved and supporting the girls brilliantly.
Over at the KnockOut Violence Project, we spent time reflecting on the incredible work our young people have been doing in the community, raising awareness of knife crime and youth violence. This was followed by a workout where the group took part in pad work and bag work. A huge shout out goes to Ria, who was a fantastic coach and did an amazing job supporting and motivating the girls.
So proud of everyone involved and the positive impact being made every single week.

15/01/2026

Gloves Not Gangs 🥊

Over the years, our Gloves Not Gangs campaign has been proudly supported and backed by some of the biggest names in boxing history, including Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Sugar Ray Leonard.

Their belief in our message reinforces what we stand for: discipline, positive choices, and giving young people a better path forward. Having legends of the sport recognise and support our work is a huge honour and a powerful reminder that boxing can be a force for real, lasting change in our communities

31/12/2025

Gloves Not Gangs 🥊

As 2025 comes to an end, we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout the year, our members, families, volunteers, partners, supporters, and the wider community. Your time, energy, and belief in what we do make everything possible.

This year has shown the power of community spirit, teamwork, and working together. Every session, every conversation, and every bit of support has helped us continue making a real difference.

As we move into 2026, we’re excited about some big community projects planned, focused on positive choices, education, mentoring, physical activity, and continuing to support and protect our young people and vulnerable members of our community.

From all of us at Gloves Not Gangs, we wish you and your families a happy, healthy, and positive New Year. Thank you for being part of the journey, the best is still to come. 💪

20/12/2025