Empowering Newham’s youth through sport and mentoring

Posted 11/07/2025

Higgins Partnerships joined forces with Fight for Peace, a community-rooted organisations that has supported young people in Newham since 2007, to launch ‘In Your Corner’ - a six-week non-contact boxing and mentoring programme designed for Year 9 and 10 students from a local Pupil Referral Unit (PRU).

The programme was designed to support young people at risk of exclusion and social isolation, combining physical activity, personal development, and accredited learning. Many of the participants faced complex social and emotional challenges and were either already excluded or at risk of disengaging from mainstream education.

As part of this partnership, Higgins provided funding for mentoring sessions and worked closely with Fight for Peace to co-develop the curriculum. Delivered at a local venue within walking distance of the PRU, the programme not only minimised travel-related emissions but also reinforced our commitment to low-impact, place-based community engagement.

Each week, participants took part in a 60-minute boxing-based fitness session followed by a 30-minute facilitated discussion exploring key themes such as:

·       Identity

·       Emotional regulation

·       Healthy relationships

·       Future aspirations

The aim was clear: to improve wellbeing, build resilience, and reconnect young people with education and positive life pathways.

The impact of ‘In Your Corner’ was immediate and powerful:

·       93% of participants reported increased confidence

·       87% rated the programme positively

·       100% achieved the accredited Boxing Awards Preliminary Award

·       2 students chose to continue training independently with Fight for Peace

One student reflected: “It helped me stay out of trouble at school and made me want to compete in boxing again.”

The Partnerships Executive at Fight for Peace added: “The programme brought transformational change, not just in behaviour, but in how the young people believed in their own growth and potential. They showed development in both boxing and academic performance.”

While delivering affordable homes at John Street and the Greenhill Centre, Higgins recognised the importance of investing in Newham’s social infrastructure. ‘In Your Corner’ is a key example of how we go beyond construction to support the communities we work in, particularly in one of London’s most diverse and disadvantaged boroughs.

At Higgins, we believe that true regeneration includes the people as much as the place. By investing in the potential of young people, we’re helping to build safer, stronger, and more inclusive communities, a legacy that reaches far beyond bricks and mortar.