Police and Crime Commissioner commits further funding as young people and police come together to build trust in Bristol

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The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has committed further funding to Empire Fighting Chance following a unique event that brought young people and police officers together to break down barriers, build trust and strengthen relationships.

The investment was announced after Fighting Barriers: Stronger Together, an event hosted by Empire Fighting Chance in Bristol that used non-contact boxing and honest conversation to create meaningful dialogue between young people and police officers.

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    Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody takes part in a boxing session with a young person at Empire Fighting Chance's Fighting Barriers: Stronger Together event.

The funding, provided by the Home Office through the Avon and Somerset Violence Reduction Partnership, will support the delivery of a new Box Champions programme in South Gloucestershire.

The 12-week programme will work with young people at risk of permanent exclusion, exploitation or involvement in criminal activity, combining mentoring, coaching and non-contact boxing to build confidence, resilience and positive futures.

Building trust through boxing and conversation

At Empire Fighting Chance, we believe that lasting change happens when young people are listened to, respected and given meaningful opportunities to shape the services that affect their lives.

The Fighting Barriers: Stronger Together event brought together young people, staff from Avon and Somerset Police and representatives from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for an afternoon designed to encourage openness, understanding and trust.

The event began with a shared boxing session, allowing everyone to connect on equal terms before taking part in a facilitated roundtable discussion. Together, they explored young people's experiences of policing, discussed the challenges facing communities and identified practical ways to strengthen relationships between young people and the police.

For many of the young people involved, it was a rare opportunity to speak directly with senior officers and help shape conversations about the future of policing in their communities.

Investing in early intervention

Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody announced the new funding during the event, recognising the impact Empire Fighting Chance has in supporting young people before challenges escalate.

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    The roundtable discussion gave young people the opportunity to share their experiences directly with police staff, helping shape conversations about trust, community safety and the future of policing.

"Reducing serious youth violence is a priority in my Police and Crime Plan, and this starts with investing in early intervention to ensure that young people have safe and positive pathways for their future. We know that the work being delivered by Empire Fighting Chance gives young people the confidence and opportunities to fulfil their potential and make safe choices, reducing the risk of them becoming victims or perpetrators of crime and violence.

 

This event was an invaluable opportunity to ensure young people's voices are represented within policing, helping to build understanding, strengthen trust, and shape local policing through the lived experiences of the communities it serves."

 

Clare Moody, Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset

 

The new Box Champions programme will give young people the opportunity to develop confidence, resilience and life skills through mentoring and non-contact boxing, helping them build positive pathways for the future.

Young people leading the conversation

The event was organised in partnership with Serena Wiebe BEM, our Youth Leadership Co-ordination & Community Coach. Having experienced the devastating impact of serious youth violence first-hand, Serena helped shape the event to ensure young people's voices remained at its heart.

"The Fighting Barriers: Stronger Together event is something I'll always remember. I learned so much about policing and how young people and the police can work better together. It showed me the people behind the badge and completely changed the way I see the police.

 

"I now understand that they're there to help us, and we were there to help them by sharing our experiences and ideas on how policing can improve. I'm grateful to everyone who made it happen and for giving young people the chance to have our voices heard."

Andrew, 14, who took part in the event

"I'm proud to have organised this event with the PCC. The conversations were open, honest, and incredibly valuable. This is what partnership working looks like.

We're creating opportunities, breaking down barriers, and working together to shape the future of policing and stronger communities."

 

Serena Wiebe, Youth Leadership Co-ordination & Community Coach, Empire Fighting Chance

Working together to create safer communities

Following the success of the event, Empire Fighting Chance, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Avon and Somerset Police have established a joint working group to continue exploring ways to strengthen relationships between young people and policing.

The partnership reflects Empire Fighting Chance's wider commitment to early intervention and tackling the impact of inequality on young people's lives. By combining the power of boxing with trusted relationships, mentoring and support, we help young people develop the confidence, resilience and opportunities they need to thrive.

"Young people are often talked about, rather than talked with. This event showed what's possible when we create the right environment for open, respectful conversations. By stepping into the gym together, young people and police staff were able to see each other beyond the stereotypes and begin building genuine understanding. That's exactly the kind of partnership we believe can help create safer communities and better futures for young people."

 

Megan Knowelden, Head of Programmes at Empire Fighting Chance

Find out more about our work

Whether you're looking to refer a young person, explore partnership opportunities or simply learn more about our work, we'd love to hear from you.

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