In partnership with Thames Valley Police and MK Council, Boxing Clever was set up in 2019 with an aim to provide a positive influence for young people away from crime and anti-social behaviour.
Participating pupils signed an acceptable behaviour contract (ABC) and attended weekly one hour boxing sessions previously held in school. Results were monitored by progress reports sought regularly from participating schools and presented key benefits such as:
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Improved school attendance
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Increased positive behaviour points
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Decreased negative behaviour points
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Improved parental engagement with schools
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Distinct positive changes in attitude and behaviour at home
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Signed ABC’s meant that each pupil was not coming to the negative attentions of police or their local communities.
The award-winning scheme was a partnership developed by Thames Valley Police and Milton Keynes Council (Safer MK) but unfortunately came to an end due to Covid-19.
However, Boxing Clever MK are delighted to announce that a new youth diversion programme is being launched, led by Head Coach of Bletchley Amateur Boxing Club Kevin McCarthy and his team, with the support of PC Cafe and PC Prestige.
New youth diversion programme 2022
Boxing Clever MK’s new youth diversion sessions will now be held at Bletchley Boxing Club in Kiln Farm, and each week will consist of two parts:
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1-hour boxing with fully qualified England Boxing Coaches
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1-hour educational clubroom session
To promote cohesive communities between young people across MK postcodes, all participating schools will train together twice throughout the term, providing them with an opportunity to work together and prepare for an end of term boxing show. Parents, teachers, and supporting organisations will be invited to attend the event to showcase what their students have learnt.
About Boxing Clever MK CIC
Boxing Clever MK is a registered Community Interest Company (CIC) with the aim of tackling numerous issues in Milton Keynes including crime reduction, health, cohesion and education, through the sport of boxing.
Their key focus is to provide an effective diversion scheme of boxing training and education to youths in MK who are identified as vulnerable to youth violence, and exploitation.
The programme provides opportunities for young people to learn new skills and knowledge that will help equip them for their future:
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Respect - boxing teaches children to respect themselves, while respecting peers and authority
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Self-discipline - increases mental focus and challenges young people to build their character
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Boosts self-esteem & self-confidence - via positive affirmations and encouragement
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Team environment - Creates a strong sense of belonging with young people and coaches
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Increases fitness levels - high cardio and strength training
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Positive changes in behaviour and attitude in school
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Decreases risk/reduction of offending, gang culture & violence
Boxing Clever is committed to providing training, education, awareness of health and wellbeing, self-confidence, and build social skills for its members. Their clubroom sessions provide an opportunity to educate young people on specific topics such as: County Lines, Knives & Weapons, Gang Awareness, Exploitation, Mental Health, Career Prospects, and much more.
This is a partnership project, and they will be working with local authorities, police, health organisations, public and private sector organisations, and third sector organisations to deliver an inclusive service. Their partnership with these organisations will enable them to provide local educational visits and talks from guest speakers.
Boxing Clever work with people from all over Milton Keynes including but not limited to:
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Young people (under 18)
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Adults 18+
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BAME communities
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Special educational needs/disability
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100% of our cohort are from Milton Keynes
As can be seen from the above list they actively promote representation from disadvantaged or under-represented groups in the community, and their diversion programme is specifically designed for young people who:
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Are at risk of offending
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Have Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s)
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Are disengaged in educational settings
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Are at risk to gang culture
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May be known to the police
Subject to funding, their youth diversion programme will be free of charge for participating secondary schools and will continue to run each term. Please keep an eye out on their social media here for more community projects and events being launched soon!
As a not-for-profit organisation, they are invested into supporting the local MK community, and therefore rely heavily on funding through grants and local business sponsorships. If you would like to support Boxing Clever MK CIC with their aims of reducing youth violence, knife crime, and exploitation, please contact them directly via their Facebook or Twitter accounts.
