A Tamworth-based gym has received backing from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Proceeds of Crime Fund to help run a rehabilitation and mentoring scheme.
Tamworth Boxing Club has been given £8,900 to continue the project, known as ‘Right Choice’, which aims to rehabilitate and educate adult and young offenders, through individually tailored programmes revolved around boxing.
This unique, one-to-one approach helps break down the barriers between the individual and coach, allowing the rehabilitation process to begin.
Matthew Ellis has decided that 100 per cent of funding received by Staffordshire Police from proceeds of crime seizures should go back to local communities.
The Proceeds of Crime Fund is supporting projects in conjunction with local policing teams and local authorities. It is made up of assets and money seized by police from criminals in Staffordshire under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Staffordshire Police continues to strip criminals of their assets – hitting them where it hurts.
Mr Ellis said: “For the first time, 100 per cent of funding that comes back to Staffordshire Police from proceeds of crime seizures is going directly to local communities. Projects like this benefit both the candidate and the community in a positive way.
“By engaging these people through sport, we can intervene and re-educate, help breaking the cycle of offending. This is not only better for the individuals involved but also the best way of reducing crime and making a positive impact on communities in the long-term.”
Working closely with Integrated Offender Management (IOM) and Kettlebrook Short Stay School, the project aims to address the causes of offending over 12 weeks for adults and six weeks for children.
Alan Keast, Manager of Tamworth Boxing Club said: “We are very grateful for this funding that will help ex-offenders make the ‘Right Choice’.
“The main advantage of the programme is that it’s flexible, in turn, this will help reduce offending by providing support to the programme candidates whenever it is needed.”
Adult candidates are identified and selected by IOM officers who think they are at a suitable stage in their offending cycle to be mentored by the project.
Neil Quinn, IOM Field Officer said: “The overall aim of the project is to support the candidate by providing advice, mentoring and support to help stop their life of crime.
“This funding has created several places on the ‘Right Choice’ boxing mentoring scheme, which we are really grateful for.”
In the first session, adult candidates will receive support from qualified coaches via a two-hour session; consisting of one hour’s boxing and one hour of mentoring.
For more information call Tamworth Boxing Club on 01827 314 111.
