Next Gen MMA – the Fabric District gym where Paddy the Baddy and Meatball Molly train – is helping young people facing difficult life situations gain job opportunities through sport.
Two of Liverpool’s top recruiters for young people – Inside Connections and The Learning Foundry – have come together with boxing initiative Weapons Down Glove Up to develop the employment project for young adults aged 16 to 35.
Helping unemployed young people in Liverpool find work through boxing and MMA
Next Gen MMA, located on Kempston Street, is one of Liverpool’s most popular mixed martial arts gyms.
It is also where former Cage Warriors Champions Molly McCann (also known as Meatball Molly) and Paddy Pimblett (better known by moniker Paddy the Baddy) started their early training, and still train to this day.
Next Gen MMA recently hosted a celebration of the partnership between The Learning Foundry, Inside Connections & Weapons Down Gloves Up by inviting Meatball Molly and Paddy the Baddy to have a session with the trainees.
The four organisations have joined together to help local people aged 16 and older who are homeless, leaving care, leaving the armed forces or who may come from difficult family and home situations find work.
The aim is to help them get jobs in construction, housing and the security services through training that teaches sports like boxing and wrestling as well as employability skills like CV and interview techniques.
Boxing legend Tony ‘Bomber’ Bellow began the new project with Weapons Down Gloves Up to help the young adults gain life skills which will give them the opportunity to find proper employment instead of potentially engaging in criminal activities.
CV, email and interview training
David Hughes, Director and Co-founder of Weapons Down Gloves Up, said the project is based upon the S.E.E acronym – sports, education and employment.
It involves 4 weeks of boxing camps, followed by industry-specific training. The students will also receive advice on CVs, email etiquette and interview techniques which is tailored according to their respective job goals.
Inside Connections is involved with individuals who have experience of the criminal justice system and are either currently serving in a category D establishment or have been released from custody. Through a variety of programmes, they help individuals get into the job market and re-integrate back into the community.
The Learning Foundry is part of The Regenda Group , which operates across the housing and construction sector and has headquarters in the Fabric District on London Road. The Learning Foundry specialises in delivering skills and training opportunities which help people to achieve their full potential in the areas of construction and housing.
Paddy and Molly’s work within the Fabric District community
At the event at Next Gem MMA last Monday (Oct 3) the trainees were given opportunity to be trained by Molly and Paddy.
Paddy said he thought the initiative was a positive step which would give more direction to the lives of the young people taking part.
Molly added: “I know what its like when you are on your own and find difficult to built an identity.
“This is your opportunity now to build a respectful life. Do not let go of the opportunity that comes your way, grab it with both hands.”
Be part of the project
Anyone who is between 16 and 35 and seeking employment can join the programme at Weapons Down Gloves Up.
You can also join the project as an employer and give an employment opportunity to a young adult who wouldn’t normally be given a chance.
There are also other ways you can contribute to the new project, like becoming an approved gym or providing coaching services. The approved gyms will be given upgraded gym facilities as well as specialist courses for the coaches. You can also be a sponsor, join the board or even work as a part time volunteer.
- For volunteering, funding, partnership or to become a WDGU approved gym, contact james@wdgu.co.uk
- For sponsorship , contact chris@wdgu.co.uk
- To become a student or employer at WDGU, contact david@wdgu.co.uk
