Ready Together“In the face of the current crisis, more people than ever are relying on organisations like Monkstown Boxing Club to help them survive. Many are facing hunger for the very first time, and with the support of the Community Foundation Northern Ireland and the National Emergencies Trust funding, Monkstown Boxing Club is responding to the growing need.”
Paul Johnston, Project Manager
Monkstown Boxing Club of Community Foundation for Northern Ireland
News and blogsPaul Johnston, Project Manager at Monkstown Boxing Club in Northern Ireland explains how funding from the trust has helped them support their local community.
Monkstown Boxing Club is based in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, they deliver a wide range of programmes to the hardest to reach young people aged 11-20. Their programmes are aimed at improving educational achievement, creating pathways to employment, building healthier lifestyles, bringing communities together and reducing crime.
Positive Futures and Box Clever are just two of the programmes that are run by the club:
Box Clever – a pioneering education programme which aims to increase employment and training opportunities for those who have not engaged in the formal education system. Through sport Monkstown Boxing Club gives young people a second chance.
Positive Futures – was set up to counter anti-social behaviour within the local community. Designed to provide diversionary activities, taking young people between the ages of 12-25 off the street and away from dangerous behaviours. Giving young people the opportunity to experience things away from the norm including cultural and activity based visits as well as cross-community relations programmes. Young people can access activities including; basketball, pool, dodgeball, ping-pong and various computer games.
Since the pandemic, Monkstown Boxing Club has continued to support their young people and their community. The Helping Hand Project has taken the young people out into the community offering their time to carry out garden chores for senior citizens, the volunteers have been fence painting, lawn mowing as well as litter picking and dog walking.
Food provisions have also played a part in the club’s mission. With the usual youth support programmes on hold, the charity started up a soup kitchen built on its pre-existing foodbank service. They have collaborated with community partners to feed the most vulnerable people in the area. Before the pandemic the club would support approximately ten families with food parcels, now it supports over 65 pensioners and 40 families a week. Deliveries total around 300 soup meals per week.
