Giant energy factory development in West Bromwich funds boxing project for pupils
Schools in West Bromwich are being urged to step into the ring after developers of a giant waste energy factory put up almost £3,000 for special boxing classes.
Enfinium Kelvin energy-from-waste facility is being built just off the M5 motorway in Kelvin Way at a cost of £500 million.
When complete it will process and convert waste into high-pressure steam, which would then be de-pressurised to produce electricity to power around around 95,000 homes.
Now the company has provided £2,780 towards the cost of a six-week programme of non-contact sport to help youngsters with mental health issues.
The therapeutic sessions are being run by BoxClever Mentoring which works with schools mainly in the Sandwell area. They offer non-contact boxing programmes specifically designed to enhance the wellbeing particularly young people, who are experiencing social, emotional and mental health difficulties.
The grant is part of a £50,000 Community Benefit Fund set up by Enfinium’s Kelvin facility and will be spent at four primary and secondary schools in the area. Each session in the programme lasts a total of 90 minutes, where half is dedicated to boxing activity and the other half is dedicated to group or individual discussion around a session topic.
The programme provides participants with knowledge and practical strategies for a range of topics including emotional intelligence, anger management, self-control, discipline, respect and resilience in a safe space for young people to release any worries, stress or frustrations, whilst the boxing element offers the benefits of physical exercise.
BoxClever Mentoring director Craig Gittens says: “We are really grateful to Enfinium for their support with this grant. It means we can support even more young people in the West Midlands and give them the tools to work through any difficulties they face.
"Each young person who participates in the programme will gain an improved standard of wellbeing, which can then lead to showing improvement in other parts of their life – including involvement in the wider community and becoming peer mentors for other young people.”
Plant manager Robert Foster, adds: “It’s important to us that our commitment to Sandwell runs deep into the communities in which we’ll be operating. While we’re already creating new jobs and generating new opportunities for local businesses, we also want to be good neighbours to our community and to the people who live and work here.
"That’s why we’re pleased to be supporting the important work that BoxClever Mentoring does to help young people through boxing and practical strategies. We look forward to seeing how this grant, and the other grants we have made and will continue to make across Sandwell in the coming months and years, makes a positive impact on the local community.”
The company has invested in a similar £500m plant in Skelton Grange in Yorkshire.
