August 2017
Empire are proud to announce that professional boxer Tyler Davies will be running non-contact boxing sessions at Smelters Boxing Gym in Avonmouth from 1st August 2017. The sessions will be free to all young people aged 10+ and take place every Tuesday and Thursday evenings 3.45pm-5.15pm.
June 2017
Empire Fighting Chance are hosting our annual summer drop in programme for all young people across Bristol over the Summer Holidays.
We will be running free to attend multi sports activity sessions on weekdays from 10.30am-12pm & 2pm-4pm at The Mill starting on Monday 24th July through until Friday 1st September.
Multi-Sports will include non contact boxing, basketball, football, touch rugby, martial arts and drama. We will also be staging team building events such as tent building and orienteering.
We welcome primary and secondary aged young people from 8 upwards.
Empire have had great success with the summer programme in previous years, attracting lots of young people from around the city.
If you have any further questions don’t hesitate to contact us on 0117 949 6699
May 2017
Empire Fighting Chance are celebrating winning Charity of The Year at the inaugural Bristol Life Awards 2017. Empire were finalists alongside a number of other fantastic charities including The Grand Appeal, Penny Brohn UK and Above and Beyond and as such winning the award was a pleasant surprise in what is rapidly becoming a very exciting year.
As well as continuing to positively impact the lives of thousands of young people through their specially developed programmes in Bristol they have also started to scale across South Wales. Pilot projects in Merthyr Tydfil, Barry and Monmouth have all produced excellent results.
The judging panel said:
“Such a superb charity, reaching parts of society that need it. Empire Fighting Chance are really making an enduring impact on Bristol.”
CEO of Empire, Martin Bisp was delighted to receive the award on behalf of the charity.
“I feel humbled to have won the award and it came as a shock. It is a brilliant achievement to be recognised for the work that we are doing with young people and the progress we have made as an organisation over the past few years is outstanding. Every day we make a real impact on the lives of disadvantaged young people and, as we continue to grow and develop, we will keep this ethos at the heart of everything we do. I am proud of everyone associated with Empire Fighting Chance.”
April 2017
Empire Hosts Easter Activities Programmes at The Mill
Following the fantastic success of our Summer programme in 2015/2016 Empire Fighting Chance have opened their doors in efforts to keep children off the streets of Easton & St. Paul’s. Through taking part in sport-based activities children are encouraged to attend every week day over the Easter period, fully free of charge.
The programme is funded by Bristol Youth & Community Action (BYCA) with the aim to help break down barriers between children from different areas and ethnic groups in Bristol. Also to help them build their confidence by improving levels of fitness and giving them the opportunity to socially interact with children of similar ages as well as reducing the risk of involvement in anti-social behaviour.
The programme comprises of Boxing and Multi Sports sessions taken by the professional coaches at EFC. The programme is open to everyone and there is no need to book just bring the young people to the Empire Fighting Chance, The Mill, Easton, BS5 0YJ. Sessions will run from 2pm – 4pm.
Call 0117 949 6699 for more details.
March 2017
National award winning charity, Empire Fighting Chance (EFC), are working with schools and local authorities across South Wales to create one of the country’s most exciting new partnerships.
Empire, for whom current Welsh boxing world champion Lee Selby is an ambassador, run programmes specifically designed to increase education or employment opportunities, especially for those currently struggling to engage with either.
They also run programmes for people suffering from Mental Health problems and were showcased at the MIND conference at Wembley as one the country’s most innovative mental health intervention programmes.
Jamie Parry, the EFC programme manager from Monmouth, said ” The progress made by the young people across South Wales has been fantastic, using boxing to help them re-engage with their schooling is a model that we have been using for some time. It is testament to the desire of the local authorities and schools in Wales to make a difference that they have implemented programmes so quickly. It looks as though South Wales will soon be starting to lead to way.”
Lee Selby said “ I have known about EFC for some time and are amazed by what they do and the results they achieve. I like to drop into sessions to see the difference in the young people, I truly think they are an inspirational organisation.”
The Youth Engagement and Progression Officer for Vale of Glamorgan Council Nisha Shukla commented on the programme that trialled for 20 weeks in Barry; “The programme has shown incredible outcomes such as increased attendance, improved motivation. It has raised aspirations for young people, it has also improved relationships and reduced anti-social behaviour.”
Statistics
The results of the programme showed a number of positive outcomes for the schools involved; increased attendance, reduced behavioural incidents and a boost in confidence and self-esteem were all reported. Summary of results below:
100% Say they now feel more positive about the future
90% say they now feel more able to co-operate with others
82% say they are happier
82% say they are more likely to respect rules
73% say they are more motivated
January 2017
‘Boxing That Works’ was run and delivered by Empire Fighting Chance in partnership with Bron Afon Housing, the programme is a national award winning non-contact boxing scheme that is underpinned by intensive mentoring and personal development. Work is focussed on young people with social, emotional and behavioural needs that lack ambition and drive. The project caters for young people 16-25 that are currently Not in Education, Training or Employment delivering a focussed employment programme that raises confidence, aspirations and motivations of participants.
Outcomes from the programme showed that 87% of ‘Boxing That Works’ participants entered employment, education or further training opportunities. 92% of participants report feeling more confident in themselves after completing the programme. The full report can be found below:
December 2016
Staff from Empire Fighting Chance along with MP Charlotte Leslie made the short trip to Morrisons supermaket in Fishponds in order to thank them for their kind support through the Morrisons Foundation. The charitable foundation supports charities that help improve people’s lives and were generous enough to make a donation to EFC for the work that we have done in helping people with mental health challenges.
November 2016
Empire have been successful in becoming an approved provider on the alternative education framework for Bristol City and South Gloucestershire Councils. We are now part of a select list of providers across the region that schools can choose from to provide alternative provision to their students.
EFC are now accepting referrals for the alternative education programme. Delivery of daily sessions will take place on site at our state of the art facility The Mill, Easton creating a safe environment where young people are listened to and valued. We will offer schools a programme of sports, personal development, ASDAN accredited courses combined with mentoring and behavioural support for Key Stage 3 and 4 students. We will be working towards achieving Ofsted outcomes to help young people improve their school attendance, raise their aspirations, increase self-discipline and reduce anti-social behaviour.
Our priority is to support pupils to make the transition back into mainstream education, providing them with the required skills and resilience to cope with school life on a daily basis. We also offer additional pathways into after school and holiday programmes and possible inclusion into our funded engagement programmes.
Empire Fighting Chance in Easton, Bristol, August 2016
November 2016
Empire Fighting Chance would like to welcome Sarah as our champion of the month. She is enjoying her one to one sessions and is excited about continuing her mentoring programme. So far Sarah has shown a fantastic attitude in her work and positivity towards her training. We hope that Sarah continues with this and completes her mentoring programme with flying colours.
November 2016
Empire Fighting Chance are extremely pleased to introduce Michael Fuller, the newest member of the team.
Michael’s takes on the role as Head of Partnerships, working strategically with our co-founders providing the necessary fundraising skills to continue the growth of EFC.
He has recently moved from London with his wife Charlie and their two children and has extensive experience of working within the nonprofit sector.
Previously he has managed global projects for Save the Children (including the $2bn Every One campaign across 65 countries) and Action Aid before founding and leading a new grant giving organisation called The Foundation.
October 2016
Empire have began working with young people across South Wales in the first stage of our expansion into new areas of need across the UK. Our coaches are currently delivering sessions to targeted young people in the three key areas of Merthyr Tydfil, Barry and Cwmbran. We are working with over 80 young people per week as part of this project and have formed partnerships with local organisations including Primary Schools, EOTAS Centres, Secondary Schools and local housing associations.
The pilot projects have been running since September and the long term aim is to solidify our position in Wales with a full time team working across the most in need areas in the region.
October 2016
Gio Davino was nominated for the Young Volunteer Of The Year Award at the Wesport Awards last week which he attended with his coach and mentor Jamie.
Gio began attending Empire following an incident at school and was placed on the EFC one to one mentoring programme which he attended every Friday morning. Gio showed a fantastic attitude from the day one and although he was very mild mannered he was always quick to volunteer to help out the staff during the day and younger people in the junior sessions. Fast forward 6 months and Gio has now achieved his Junior Boxing Leaders award, volunteered many hours of his time helping to coach the younger members of Empire and also given up his weekends to help set up professional boxing shows in Bristol all through a love of the sport. We are very grateful to Gio for all of his hard work and his wonderful attitude and politeness whoever he is around.
October 2016
EFC coach Justin was recognised at the ‘Up Our Street’ Thank You Awards at the Trinity Centre, Easton for his ongoing dedication to helping young people in the Easton and St. Paul’s Areas.
Over the past 12 months Justin has enhanced the lives of many young people that have walked through the door of Empire Fighting Chance. His care and commitment not only to their training but also to their welfare and education is second to none. Justin has worked with over 30 young people on a one to one basis over the past year as well as hundreds of others in schools and other organisations across the city. Empire are proud to have Justin as a full time member of our team and we hope that he can continue to inspire young people from the area to aspire to achieve their goals.
August 2016
Empire Fighting Chance are taking part in Bristol’s Summer of Sport at Broadmead Shopping Centre throughout the Summer Holiday’s. A variety of activities are to take place at the shopping centre each day including table football, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a climbing wall, with the aim being to encourage people to take part in sport.
Empire were at Broadmead on 3rd August and will be again on 10th august inviting shoppers to learn some boxing techniques and taking young people through some skipping and padwork drills. Everyone is invited to take part free of charge and any support through donations on the day will be gratefully received by the charity. 
July 2016
Year 9 boys at Downend School were treated to a surprise this week when IBF World Featherweight Boxing Champion Lee Selby showed up to present them with their Sports Leaders Certificates. The group of 10 students have been working on their leadership qualities throughout the term and developing their coaching skills through the non contact programme.
The students were excited to meet Lee and spent the afternoon listening to him talk about his career and asking him questions on what makes a boxing champion.
July 2016
Weekdays 25th July to 26th August 2016
Morning: 10.30am – 12.30pm
Afternoons: 2pm – 4pm
FREE for all young people aged 8+
Activities to include: Non-Contact Boxing, Team Building, Basketball, Cricket, Football, Drama
Following the fantastic success of our Summer programme in 2015 Empire Fighting Chance have opened their doors in efforts to keep children off the streets of Easton & St. Paul’s. Through taking part in sport and team based activities children are encouraged to attend every week day over the Summer period, fully free of charge.
The programme is funded by Bristol Youth & Community Action (BYCA) with the aim to help break down barriers between children from different areas and ethnic groups in Bristol. Also to help them build their confidence by improving levels of fitness and giving them the opportunity to socially interact with children of similar ages as well as reducing the risk of involvement in anti-social behaviour.
The programme comprises of Boxing, Multi Sports, Drama and Team Building sessions taken by the professional coaches at EFC. The programme is open to everyone and there is no need to book just bring the young people to the Empire Fighting Chance, The Mill, Easton, BS5 0YJ. Sessions will run from 10.30am-12.30pm and 2pm – 4pm weekdays from Monday 25th July
Call 0117 949 6699 for more details.
June 2016
Empire Fighting Chance began the Stepping Up Project for the 4th and final time this week at Oasis Academy Brightstowe. The young people attending were identified for the transition programme from a range of local primary schools and will be working with Empire Fighting Chance for the final 6 weeks of Yr6 before the summer holidays and again for 4 weeks when they have began life as Yr7 students at Oasis Brightstowe. The students will be using sports engagement to help build self-confidence, self-esteem and help them make friends and integrate with other students in order to make the transition into secondary school as enjoyable as possible.
Empire partner with the Creative Youth Network, Hawkspring, Bristol Drugs Project and The Bridge Foundation to help deliver a wide range of services to young people on the Stepping Up project.
May 2016
Empire Fighting Chance would like to congratulate our trustee Marvin Rees on becoming Mayor of Bristol. Marvin successfully defeated former Mayor George Ferguson by 68,750 votes to 39,577 in a decisive victory.
In his victory speech Marvin described his tough beginnings, where he said he was a rare “brown” face on a Bristol housing estate. He said creating a “fairer, more inclusive” society was his reason for entering politics.
He added that he would be “transparent, inclusive, sharing power and empowering”. A father of three, he also said he was determined to make time for his family.
Marvin has been a proud supporter of EFC for the past 4 years and a key figure in helping us to develop and progress in the way that we have done so far. Along with Charlotte Leslie MP, David Fordham and Dr Simon Newitt, Marvin has used his role as trustee to help us implement a firm infrastructure and generate funds to continue our work with disadvantaged young people in Bristol. We wish him all the best as Mayor and believe that he will do a fantastic job.
EFC would also like to express our thanks to former Mayor George Ferguson for the help that he has given us in the past 4 years and we wish him the best of luck for the future.
April 2016
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Bristol Councillor Clare Campion-Smith made her first visit to Empire Fighting Chance this week. The Lord Mayor devotes most of her time to the promotion of the city, key initiatives of the council and supporting a wide range of Bristol based organisations. Whilst at Empire the Lord Mayor met with the charity’s co-founder and director Jamie Sanigar and was given a guided tour of the facility. During her visit the Lord Mayor was able to observe Millpond Primary School who were engaged in two 1 hour sessions with Empire coaches as well as Bristol Active Life Project’s mental health engagement sessions delivered by Empire.
April 2016
Gio is our champion of the month for the dedication and commitment he has shown to his training and the positive changes in attitude that he has displayed. Gio who trains with Empire amateur club was referred to the one to one programme after struggling with some aspects of school and those around him felt that he was lacking some confidence and direction.
Gio is now in the 8th week of the programme and has shown a real positive change in his attitude towards school work which has been recognised by his teachers. He is now on track to achieve better grades than he was predicted at the beginning of the school year. Gio and his coach have formed a strong relationship and Gio has been described by his coach as “the hardest working and most disciplined young person I have ever worked with.”
We wish Gio all the best for his upcoming GCSE’s and Empire will be there to support him along the way.
