The South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) has attended a boxing and fitness taster session run by Dinnington Community Boxing Group, a charity organisation and amateur boxing club which works with young people.
The VRU has provided grant funding to the Boxing Group through its Violence Reduction Fund.
This supports projects working with young people aged 4-25, providing positive diversionary activities, role models, and mental health support, with the aim of preventing involvement in violence and criminality, and supporting them to make positive life choices.
The VRU funding provided to the Boxing Group allows them to support young people through their Talk n Train programme. This involves free boxing and fitness sessions, referred through schools and GP practices, as well as building support and self-confidence, and links to professional counsellors and organisations.
Held at Aston Parish Hall, the session attended by the VRU was also attended by the Mayor of Rotherham, Councillor Robert Taylor.
Ian Huddleston, Manager of Dinnington Community Boxing Group said: “The investment by the VRU has made such a difference, enabling the club to not only build our own gym in Dinnington High School, but also allowing us to employ coaches to deliver some of the projects in Dinnington.
“The summer programme in Aston has allowed the Group to expand our offer to other areas and run taster sessions, with the hope that these can be rolled out in the future so we can work with more young people, building better communities.”
Graham Jones, Head of the South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit said: “The VRU has a long-standing relationship with Dinnington Community Boxing Group, and we recognise the impact that their Talk n Train programme has.
“This programme not only engages young people in positive activities, allowing interaction with their peers and good role models, it also develops the physical and mental wellbeing which is key to living healthy, fulfilled lives.”
Read about the grant funding provided to Dinnington Community Boxing Group by the VRU here.
