Box Champs Coach

Empire Fighting Chance; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A youth-focused charity in Bristol is seeking a Box Champs Coach to work with at-risk young individuals using boxing as a therapeutic tool. In this unique role, you'll lead sessions integrating boxing training with psychological principles, helping young people develop resilience and confidence. The position demands strong interpersonal skills, experience with vulnerable populations, and a proactive, creative approach. Flexibility is key as the role includes both gym and school-based engagements, with travel required during the workweek.

Benefits

Supportive work environment

Opportunity for personal development

Engaging in meaningful community work

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience working with young people, especially in challenging situations.
• Understanding of the complexities of working-class communities.
• Ability to engage young people in therapeutic alliances.

Responsibilities

• Work with young people in both gym and school settings.
• Maintain records and report on sessions.
• Develop positive relationships with young people and their support networks.

Skills

Compassionate practitioners

Culturally competent

Experience with at-risk youth

Excellent written English skills

Proactive and creative approach

Education

1-2 years of experience with young people

Full clean driving licence

Job description

Our model features a powerful fusion of boxing and psychology, delivered by coaches and therapists that young people can trust, in a place where they feel safe, cared for and understood. With Empire Fighting Chance, young people gain support in ways that are natural and enjoyable, encouraging them to turn up, relax, engage in the work, and go on to make positive changes to their lives. About the job: Do you have a passion for boxing or sports and understand the impact it can have in building resilience in young people? Are you seeking an exciting and unique opportunity to work for an innovative charity? If so, read on...

Throughout Box Champions, young people learn evidence-based personal development principles that help them understand the nature of the mind and normalise feelings they may be experiencing. This equips them with the skills to manage emotions, behaviours, and situations. As trust grows between the young person and their coach, the coach supports them with setting personal goals that are meaningful to them. These goals may include returning to school, making new friends, or finding a job. By the end of the programme, young people have gained confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose that they can carry with them into the future. This is an incredible opportunity to play a key role in a thriving charity that is supporting youth in our community through an active and engaging approach to improving lives. Every day, we meet young people who are facing significant challenges in their lives, such as mental health issues, chaotic home lives, difficulties at school or involvement in crime. With your commitment, timely input, and ability to think outside the box, we can significantly enhance the impact of our work and improve outcomes for those who engage with our services.

Your role: As a Box Champs Coach, you will work with young people who are disengaged, vulnerable, and/or at risk in one‑on‑one and group settings at the Empire Gym and off‑site in schools. Leading sessions that incorporate traditional boxing training elements with Empire's unique psychological principles, you will plan, deliver, and report on young people within the Box Champ's programme. Bristol‑based role that requires travel. Occasional additional duties may be required.

Responsibilities

• To work in a dynamic and unconventional work environment where flexibility and creativity are paramount.
• To work with young people in a 1:1 and group‑based capacity in both gym and school‑based settings.
• Maintain the highest standards of record‑keeping, including notes around each session, digitally updating files, and supporting report writing as needed.
• To ensure the development and maintenance of the highest personal and professional standards of practice.
• To work flexibly and with initiative to meet the core aims of service delivery to children and young people, including working evenings and some weekends.
• To autonomously manage own caseload.
• To build positive and effective relationships with young people, carers, parents, and external services to support a young person's therapeutic journey.
• To work within a multi‑disciplinary team, and alongside colleagues.

Qualifications

• To work collaboratively with other organisations/agencies.
• We are seeking compassionate and culturally competent therapeutic practitioners who understand the complexities of working‑class communities and the impact of societal inequalities on mental health. In this role, you will have the opportunity to provide support and advocacy to clients from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
• 1‑2 years' experience of working with young people (essential).
• Experience working with vulnerable, challenging or 'at‑risk' young people (desirable).
• Understanding of boxing (desirable).
• Experience of working independently, including lone working.
• Full and (preferably) clean driving licence (essential).
• Excellent written English skills, including reading, writing, and numeracy.

Essential Attributes

• A proactive and creative approach to work.
• The ability to use own initiative and work cohesively as part of a team.
• A creative and curious approach to providing alternative mental health support options.
• An active interest in fitness and sports.
• The ability to engage young people in meaningful therapeutic alliances, being personable and welcoming, whilst setting clear and consistent boundaries.
• Resilience, a sense of humour and the willingness to integrate as part of the wider Empire boxing team.

Empire Fighting Chance is a sport for development charity. We use psychologically informed non‑contact boxing programmes that reach around 10,000 vulnerable young people every year. We run these programmes in our gym, in schools, and through a growing network of partner organisations and affiliated amateur boxing clubs in England and Wales.