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Power to Young People
In 2025, Mariella and Serena , two Empire alumni turned staff, set out to make youth leadership at Empire Fighting Chance bigger, bolder and more meaningful than ever.
What they helped build is more than a programme. It’s a platform.
The refreshed youth leadership offer now gives young people three powerful ways to step forward and lead. Box Leaders is a 12-week course combining non-contact boxing with hands-on leadership development. The Youth Advisory Board brings young people into real decision-making spaces, shaping Empire’s direction and influencing change across Bristol as well as Youth Ambassadors giving alumni the chance to represent Empire, champion their peers and share their stories beyond the gym.
At the heart of it all is a simple belief: young people aren’t just the future, they’re leaders right now.
WHY VOICE VOICE MATTERS
For Mariella, now Youth Voice Coordinator, the work is deeply personal.
“I’m passionate about making sure that young people’s views, concerns, and needs are heard and reflected in the decisions that affect them. The Youth Advisory Board has been a brilliant opportunity for the young people at Empire to take off their boxing gloves and use their voices to make positive change. As we are all similar ages to young people Empire works with, we can directly relate to them and make sure the right decisions are being made.”
Serena, who leads alongside her, shares that same drive to create space for others.
“Leading on youth voice allows me to uplift, empower, and motivate other young people. As a young person myself, I understand how powerful it is to have role models who look like you and share similar experiences. I get to help create the representation and support I once needed.”
Their leadership is grounded in lived experience, not theory, It’s about young people shaping systems that are often designed without them.
A YEAR OF-YOUTH LED ACTION
This year, youth voice at Empire hasn’t just been about conversations, it’s been about visible, tangible change.
One of the Youth Advisory Board’s first major projects was helping design the interior of Empire’s new gym annexe. Young people presented their ideas directly to the interior designer, Artworks Solutions influencing how the space looks, feels and functions. After the artwork had been installed, thanks to Agile Installation, young people got to see their visions all across the walls of our new annex.
“Our first major project was the interior design of the new annexe to our boxing gym. The young people were able to directly present their ideas to the interior designer on how they want the new space to look. We’re excited to see our ideas come to life on the walls,” Mariella explains.
The board also launched the 1000 Voices project, a listening campaign to understand what matters most to young people across Bristol and the changes they want to see.
Those insights are now feeding directly into Empire’s youth strategy, helping ensure the organisation responds to the realities young people are facing today.
For Serena, one of the most powerful moments of the year came on a national stage.
“A significant moment was the Youth Opportunity Summit at St James’s Palace to explore solutions to keep young people safe from violence. I spoke alongside the Prime Minister Keir Starmer, King Charles and Idris Elba, sharing my ideas and solutions to reducing youth violence and making communities safer.”
Her advocacy is deeply personal. Addressing knife crime and youth violence is not just a policy issue, it’s connected to lives loss, and a determination to prevent other young people experiencing the same pain.
WHAT YOUNG LEADERS WANT NEXT
Members of the Youth Advisory Board are clear about what they want to achieve, and their ambitions stretch far beyond Empire’s walls.
Serena says simply:
“I want change. I want to help build a safer, stronger, and more hopeful city.”
Mariella adds:
“My hope is to continue supporting and elevating young people within the community, contributing to positive change and promoting opportunities for everyone.”
Other Youth Advisory Board members share that same commitment, their words reflect a generation that doesn’t just want to be heard, they want to help lead solutions....
Sean: “We want to make a big impact on the Empire community.”
Harry: “To make Empire’s youth voice known over Bristol.”
Lily: “To continue helping Empire accomplish its goals.”
Kelsey: “I would like to help young people across the city of Bristol.”
Josh: “I would like to use everything I have learnt to help others.”
Sabriin: “To make Empire’s youth voice something everyone recognises and values in Bristol.”
