Young volunteers transform Lambeth boxing club
A group of 26 young volunteers have spent the past few weeks transforming a boxing club from the inside-out as part of a project to get young people into construction.
The Traffic Light System Boxing Club, in Vauxhall, was set up by Lambeth boxing coach and carpenter, Richard Vassel, in August 2022.
Mr Vassel has worked on the club’s gym – which had been derelict for more than 20 years – for the past two years.
Last month he enlisted the support of the community to help put the finishing touches to the club.
The group of young volunteers – who will use the gym once it opens – lent a helping hand by sourcing and upcycling building equipment as well as fitting specialist flooring, creating bench seating for the boxing hall, tiling the ice bath room and painting and decorating throughout the club.
The volunteers were supported by tool suppliers Toolstation and social enterprise Volunteer It Yourself (VIY) for the project.
VIY works to teach young people DIY skills and consider a career in the construction and building industry, while renovating a space they may use and benefit from.
Once opened, The Traffic Light System Boxing Club, aims to use boxing to help transform the lives of young people in the area, with regular classes for different age groups and for those with special educational needs.
The project was co-funded by Lambeth council and Sport England, with the Powerday Foundation donating equipment to get the club up and running, and Dulux donating the paint.
Tim Reading, chief executive at VIY, said: “This partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to making a lasting impact on the community through vital grassroots sports clubs just like this one through cross-sector partnership working, and boosting skills and work-readiness for young people not in education, training or employment.”
Pictured top: The volunteers at the Traffic Light System Boxing Club site (Picture: Toolstation)
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