Counter Punch Project Launches to Support Young People in Bristol

We are proud to announce the launch of the Counter Punch Project, an innovative early intervention programme designed to divert young people in Bristol away from crime and serious violence.

Thanks to £10,000 secured through the Avon and Somerset Police Innovation Fund, the project has been developed in partnership with Avon and Somerset Police’s Early Intervention Team and the Love Stapleton Road Partnership. Together, we identified a clear gap in intensive, one-to-one diversionary support for young people who come into contact with police and require tailored intervention at a critical moment in their lives.

Why This Matters

Across Bristol, we are seeing increasing numbers of young people facing social and economic inequality, school exclusion, mental health challenges, addiction and social isolation. For some, these factors create vulnerability to exploitation and involvement in serious violence.

We believe that early, relationship-led support can make a lasting difference, particularly when delivered before harmful lifestyles become entrenched.

The Counter Punch Project will work with 20 young people aged 11 to 25 who are involved in, or at risk of becoming involved in, crime. Referrals will be made by Avon and Somerset Police’s Early Intervention Team, identifying those assessed as most in need of intensive support.

How the Programme Works

The Counter Punch Project is delivered over three structured phases, creating a pathway from stability to sustained progression.

Phase One: Building Foundations

Participants begin a programme of weekly one-hour sessions. The journey starts with personalised goal setting focused on behaviour, wellbeing and future aspirations.

Non-contact boxing provides a powerful engagement tool, building trust, fitness and discipline in a safe, structured environment. Psychologically informed support is woven throughout each session, enabling young people to:

• Regulate emotions
• Challenge unhelpful thinking patterns
• Build resilience
• Develop self-belief

This phase is about creating stability and strengthening the foundations from which positive change can grow.

Phase Two: Widening Opportunities

Once a trusted relationship has been established, the focus shifts towards expanding horizons.

Each young person works closely with a Coach Mentor and Community Manager to access opportunities tailored to their individual needs. Pathways into the wider Empire Fighting Chance community provide positive peer networks and consistent adult role models.

Opportunities include:

• Empire Amateur Boxing Club
• Nutrition and cooking programmes
• Employability support delivered in partnership with Mwanzo and Future Pages

Where specialist support is required, we work collaboratively with local organisations to address challenges including substance misuse, housing and training needs.

Phase Three: Progression and Sustained Support

At the end of the core programme, each participant develops a clear progression plan. This may include careers guidance, leadership development or enterprise support.

Crucially, our support does not end there. Young people continue to receive follow-up support for three months, helping them to sustain progress and remain connected to positive networks.

A Collaborative Approach

The concept for the Counter Punch Project emerged through close collaboration between Avon and Somerset Police’s Early Intervention Team and neighbourhood officers working within the Love Stapleton Road partnership, a multi-agency initiative involving police, the local authority and community partners to improve safety and quality of life in the Stapleton Road area.

By combining community insight, frontline policing experience and our evidence-informed mentoring model, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to tackling the root causes of youth crime, not simply responding to its consequences.

As Megan Knowelden, Head of Programmes at Empire Fighting Chance, explains:

“In recent years, we have seen too many young people pulled into serious violence or exploited into criminal activity. The age at which some are becoming vulnerable to these risks is deeply concerning. We believe one-to-one support at the right moment can make a real difference, reaching young people before harmful lifestyles have become entrenched. This funding will allow us to provide intensive support to those who need it most.”

Looking Ahead

The Counter Punch Project represents more than a programme; it is a commitment to young people in Bristol.

A commitment to intervene earlier.
A commitment to provide real alternatives.
A commitment to stand alongside young people as they build safer, more hopeful futures.

We are grateful to Avon and Somerset Police and the Love Stapleton Road Partnership for their collaboration and belief in this work.

If you would like to learn more about the Counter Punch Project or explore how you can support our work, please get in touch.

Together, we can help young people find a different path forward.