Belfast boxer fighting for mental health campaign

BELFAST boxer Steven Ward has thrown his weight behind a campaign for Mental Health Awareness Week.

The Mental Health Foundation’s theme for the week is ‘Movement: Moving more for our mental health’.

Ward, a former WBO European cruiserweight champion, runs his own mental health enterprise Fight2thrive, which runs movement-based workshops for young people to help build resilience and instill discipline.

“From a young age, I had my fair share of difficult times. I started boxing when I was 11,” Ward said.

“And very quickly it became my counsellor, my therapist, my best mate. It became my regulation and gave me a sense of belonging.

“Some young people have anxiety, some have trauma, some have so much going on, and I’m just their safe space.”

Ward recognises that boxing isn’t for everyone, so uses different forms of movement when working with young people, such as bike riding and basketball.

The Belfast man works out of Monkstown Boxing and in schools and youth clubs. Fight2thrive, which is supported by former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton, who is also a director of the organisation, has already helped scores of young people since it was launched last year.

Carl Frampton said: “Fight2thrive offers young people the support and guidance they need to overcome life’s challenges and discover their potential, just as boxing transformed my life. ”

Fight2thrive has been awarded funding of £8,000 from UNLTD, a charity which supports social entrepreneurs helping communities.

“We now have gloves and equipment, and can get a laptop and transport. Up until the funding, I’ve been begging and borrowing from here and there.”

Mark Norbury, chief executive of Unltd, added: “Social entrepreneurs, like Steven, are tackling inequalities and mental health challenges with inspired wellbeing solutions and activities. They are making a powerful difference in communities.”