Training therapists with Croydon based 'Be Inspired.'

The Need for Box Therapy

Serious youth violence, gang involvement, and criminal exploitation continue to devastate communities, particularly in urban areas like Croydon in London. Many young people caught in these cycles have experienced significant trauma, often growing up in environments where violence, neglect, and a lack of opportunity shape their world.

Traditional interventions frequently struggle to engage those at the highest risk, as many young people are reluctant to participate in standard mental health services.

Box Therapy provides an innovative alternative. By combining non-contact boxing with structured psychological support, it creates a safe and familiar space for young people to express emotions, build trust, and develop strategies to escape destructive cycles. The physical nature of boxing offers an immediate outlet for aggression and stress, alongside the embedded therapeutic approach which helps young people understand their emotions, regulate their responses, and develop resilience against the pressures of gang culture and violence. This combination is proving a real and effective intervention for young people.

This approach is particularly effective for those who struggle with verbal communication, offering a dynamic way to process trauma and reframe their mindset without the stigma often associated with therapy. By engaging young people through sport, Box Therapy opens doors to wider support, guiding young people towards education, employment, and positive life choices.

Box Therapy training

Over two days, our training team guided the group through the core principles of Box Therapy, covering:

• How boxing can be used as a tool for emotional regulation and self-expression.
• Practical boxing techniques tailored for therapeutic settings.
• Strategies to engage and support young people affected by gang culture, trauma, and serious youth violence.
• Real-world case studies and role-play exercises to build confidence in delivery.

Impact & Next Steps

The feedback from therapists was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing excitement about using Box Therapy in their practice. As we continue to grow our Powered by Empire network, we look forward to supporting more professionals in embedding this approach across the UK.

Ben Eckett, from Be Inspired said “'We are hugely grateful to the support from Empire Fighting Chance over the past 12 months. Empire has supported us by powering our team with brilliant new programmes such as Box Champions and Box Therapy. The Box Therapy programme launched last May in Croydon and it is already having a great impact, we have been able to support lots of young people with this method of therapy and we are building on this programme so that we can support more young people across South London.

Box Therapy has been able to engage young people into therapy that wouldn't usually feel comfortable, I believe it's the integrated approach of utilizing non therapeutic settings, and using boxing as a hook, and distraction whilst using therapeutic tools. We are extremely excited to develop this across London as a partnership with Empire.” 

Three other therapists in attendance shared their experience and said :

‘ Really powerful, validating, training, would love to do more.’

‘This is the first time we have ever done anything to do with boxing. It was really fun, empowering, and affirming. Really appreciate the authenticity and real-ness.”

‘The colaberation of boxing and therapy was most beneficial.It was a great day and I enjoyed being in learning mode. Thankyou.’

And finally Elaine, Box Therapy lead at Empire said : “We were excited by this training as it was the first from a boxing partner's gym. Working outside of our turf in Croydon meant that we could spread the box therapy net wider and attract more mental health practitioners working with young people in high-risk situations and struggling personally.

The identification and buzz over the two days was thrilling as they explored and expanded their therapeutic approaches with an unorthodox, but accessible and highly relevant form of talking therapy.”

A huge thank you to Be Inspired for hosting us and to all the therapists who took part.

Together, we’re using the power of boxing to change lives and tackle serious youth violence head-on.

Join the fight – [email protected]