We're changing lives with Liverpool legends and Weapons Down Gloves Up
This week (17th January 2023) we hosted two world class sports stars at our open day for our innovative new training programme with Weapons Down Gloves Up.
UFC star Molly ‘Meatball’ McCann and former professional boxer, Tony Bellew, stopped by our city centre campus on Monday, where they talked about our sports, education and employment programme with a difference.
This programme has been created for Liverpool residents aged 16 to 24 who aren’t in education, employment or training. Aiming to break the cycle of violence and gang culture, the programme puts young people on the path to success in the multi-million pound construction industry. Over the course of 12 weeks, learners will understand what it takes to begin a successful career in the sector, attending a four-week placement with a local construction company and receiving a CSCS card on completion. Alongside practical skills, learners will also work closely with Meatball Molly and Tony Bellew, using boxing and mixed martial arts to build resilience, promote positive mental health and discipline.
Molly ‘Meatball’ McCann is an ambassador for Weapons Down Gloves Up alongside boxer Tony Bellew. She said: “It’s all about using sport to provide structure to young people where they perhaps haven’t had any before. They’ll learn new skills in the gym, build self-esteem, get qualifications and work experience to help them secure a job. We don’t want them to see us as school. There’s a mutual respect between everyone and they’ll go away feeling like they matter and that they’ve got value to add, in work and in the community, rather than turning to gun and knife crime.”
Tony Bellew added: “There are construction sites all over this city and we want to get local young people into these jobs. We want to encourage these young people to put in the hard work and they will succeed. They can be anything they want to be.”
The Sports, Education and Employment programme starts on 23rd January at DT Hughes, Aintree. There’s still time to sign up – visit https://www.thelearningfoundry.co.uk/traineeships or call 0300 123 8088