Birch Green Amateur Boxing Club Secures Funding to Empower Skelmersdale

Birch Green ABC (Amateur Boxing Club), a not-for-profit England Boxing affiliated club in Skelmersdale, is to receive £20,765 in funding secured by West Lancashire Borough Council. 

The funding, which is from the Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), will be instrumental in sustaining and expanding vital services like the club’s programmes and ongoing efforts to deliver non-contact boxing sessions, mentorship and personal development programmes aimed at encouraging positive perceptions of young people and enhancing the well-being of unemployed individuals. 

As a community-focused organisation, Birch Green ABC is committed to using the power of sport to drive positive change. The club’s initiatives are designed to support the physical and mental health of residents, with emphasis on young people and those facing job market challenges.  

Through structured boxing sessions, participants are encouraged to build self-esteem, improve their overall health, and develop the resilience needed to succeed in various aspects of life. 

Kevin Batemen, Head Coach at Birch Green ABC, said: "Our mission is to create a safe and supportive environment where young people and unemployed individuals can thrive.  

“This funding will enable us to expand our programmes and reach even more members of the community, helping them to build confidence, develop new skills, and achieve their personal and professional goals." 

The club's activities extend beyond the boxing ring, incorporating mentoring and personal development support to address the unique needs of participants. By offering tailored projects that blend physical activity with life skills coaching, Birch Green ABC aims to support individuals aged 16-65 with the tools they need to improve their employability and overall quality of life. 

Councillor Carl Coughlan, lead member for Leisure said: “We are delighted to support Birch Green ABC and the amazing work they do. Grassroots clubs like this are doing incredible things, changing lives daily in the heart of their communities.  

By investing in these programmes, we are not only helping individual people, but communities, by improving health, wellbeing and social mobility.  This is a fantastic example of how sport can make a real difference in our community." 

For more information about Birch Green ABC and its initiatives, please visit https://www.birchgreenabc.org/