Fullcircle NW CIC is dedicated to the "learn, grow, give back" philosophy. The team offer a range of activities for young people in Oldham, focusing on skill development, personal growth, and community engagement. We aim to create positive change and empower young people to thrive.
The 8-week Girls Only boxing sessions were initiated in response to a growing need to address social isolation, low self-esteem, and limited access to physical activity among young girls aged 11-14 in our community. Specifically, we observed a trend of girls withdrawing from group activities and expressing feelings of insecurity.
The primary participants were girls aged 11-14 who lived in the Chadderton South area. We also involved experienced boxing coaches from Oldham Boxing Club and partnered with The National Association of Boys & Girls Clubs to provide additional support and resources.
We aimed to address the prevalent issues of social isolation, low self-esteem, and limited opportunities for physical activity among young girls. We wanted to create a safe and supportive environment where they could build confidence, develop new skills, and promote positive relationships.
There was a clear lack of accessible targeted programs specifically designed to meet the unique needs of young girls in our community. Existing youth programs often lacked the specific focus on female empowerment and physical activity that we felt was essential. Fullcircle identified this need through our ongoing work with young people and recognised the potential of boxing as a tool for building confidence and resilience. We established partnerships with Oldham Boxing Club and The National Association of Boys & Girls Clubs to leverage their expertise and resources.
The sessions were held at the Oldham Boxing Club, providing a dedicated and appropriate space for the physical activity.
There are wider issues of limited access to female-specific sports and wellbeing programs in our area. Additionally, the increasing pressures of social media and academic expectations contribute to the challenges faced by young girls. We were not replicating an existing model, instead were creating a new project to meet a specific need. We also recognised the benefit of introducing the girls to a sport that is not traditionally aimed at females, to increase their confidence, and challenge stereotypes.
Our task was to design and implement an 8-week Girls Only boxing project that would effectively address the identified issues of social isolation, low self-esteem, and limited physical activity among young girls aged 11-14 in Chadderton South.
We aimed to create a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for the girls to:
Improve their self-esteem and confidence.
Develop new physical and mental skills.
Reduce social isolation through peer interaction and relationship building.
Promote positive physical and mental wellbeing.
Challenge gender stereotypes associated with sport.
We planned to deliver weekly boxing sessions led by experienced coaches from Oldham Boxing Club, incorporating elements of informal education and support.
We would create a structured program that included:
Warm-up and fitness exercises.
Introduction to basic boxing techniques.
Skill-building drills and sparring (where appropriate and safe).
Opportunities for group discussions and peer support.
To implement the 8-week Girls Only boxing project, we followed a structured approach:
Recruitment and Outreach: We began by promoting the project through local schools, community contacts, and social media. We held an introductory session to explain the project's aims and address any concerns from potential participants and their families.
Weekly Sessions: We delivered weekly Saturday boxing sessions at Oldham Boxing Club, adhering to the 8-week program plan. Each session included:
- A warm-up and fitness exercises led by the boxing coaches.
- Instruction on basic boxing techniques, such as stance, punches, and defensive moves.
- Skill-building drills and partner work, ensuring a safe and supportive environment.
- Group discussions facilitated by youth workers, allowing the girls to share their experiences and build peer support.
Collaboration and Support: The boxing coaches from Oldham Boxing Club provided expert instruction and guidance, while our youth workers offered emotional support and facilitated group discussions. The National Association of Boys & Girls Clubs provided resources and guidance on program delivery.
Addressing Challenges: We encountered some initial apprehension from some girls who were hesitant to participate in a traditionally male-dominated sport. We addressed this by creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, emphasising the project's focus on empowerment and self-improvement. We also had a couple of girls who have sensory processing needs, we made sure to give them extra support, and encouragement and working with them so they could participant as fully as possible.
Adaptability: We adapted some sessions based on the girls' feedback and progress, ensuring the program remained engaging and relevant.
Progression: As the weeks progressed, we observed increasing confidence and skill development among the girls. We incorporated more challenging drills and activities, while maintaining a supportive and encouraging environment.
The 8-week Girls Only boxing project successfully achieved its aims of improving self-esteem, reducing social isolation, and promoting physical and mental wellbeing among the participating girls.
The girls demonstrated a notable increase in confidence and self-esteem, evident in their willingness to participate in activities and interact with their peers. Social isolation was reduced as the girls formed strong bonds and supportive relationships within the group. The project also significantly improved their physical fitness and overall wellbeing.
We observed a 90% attendance rate throughout the 8-week program, indicating high engagement.
Post-program surveys and feedback sessions revealed a significant increase in participants' self-reported confidence levels.
We also saw a 100% attendance on the weekend residential that followed the boxing sessions.
Participant quotes:
"I feel more confident. I've made some good friends” - Young Girl (L) aged 10
"I hated wearing the gloves, they smelt really bad, but I loved boxing, it made me feel strong and powerful." - Young Girl (E) aged 11
“I love football but never thought I would like boxing, but I did. Mark the coach said we can come back, I hope we do!” Young Girl (T) Aged 13
Staff quotes:
"Seeing the girls grow in confidence was amazing. They were so supportive of each other." – Mark, Boxing Coach
“Comparing the start of the 8 weeks to now, it’s absolutely amazing the girls have achieved so much both individually and together. I am extremely proud of every one of them!” Becci, Youth Worker
Our Key Learnings:
We learned that targeted, female-focused programs can have a profound impact on young girls' wellbeing.
The combination of physical activity and peer support is a powerful tool for building confidence and reducing social isolation.
Partnerships with specialised organisations, like Oldham Boxing Club, are invaluable for delivering high-quality programs.
We learnt that the girls greatly benefited from the residential weekend, and this will be something we will look to add to future projects.
Next Steps:
We will explore opportunities to continue and expand the Girls Only program.
We will seek funding to facilitate further residential trips.
We will share the project's success and learnings with other organisations to encourage the development of similar programs.
We will look to provide more activities that encourage girls to take part in physical activity.