We have always had the aim of being firmly rooted within the community and for us to support and work with them as best we could - we want to ‘give back’. Whilst support for local causes, groups & charities has always been at the forefront of our thinking, the increasing globalisation & the shrinking of the borders of the world have meant that we have also thrown our shoulder around regional, national or global causes.
Over the last 6 years or so we have:
Collecting goods to support refugees of the Ukrainian Crisis
Raised over £3,500 for the Teenage Cancer Trust via students taking part in the 100 Squat Challenge
Developed & delivered a course of classes for students with Down Syndrome
Collected clothing & toiletries for the Afghan Refugee Appeal (2021)
Supported local fundraising opportunities (eg: raising money for medical treatment for children)
Delivered free 6 week after school courses to children during pandemic lockdown
Opened a second centre in a deprived area of Oldham, supporting a local charity in the process
Worked with local schools to deliver taster sessions & some introductory martial arts classes for children who would not normally be able to experience or access martial arts
Delivered Curriculum Enrichment classes to students from Oldham College
Hosted volunteer placements & supported Duke of Edinburgh programmes
Developed & delivered women-only classes so that Jewish and Muslim women could access physical exercise & martial arts like never before
Worked with the Jewish community to develop a class for Jewish males which met their cultural needs
Supported a local Food Bank with annual collections made in our Centres and across other local centres
Supported Prestwich Carnival with sponsorship
Buying locally whenever we can, supporting business in the local area and reducing ‘business miles’
Supported small local businesses to help them develop & expand
Developed & delivered a 10 week course for disengaged teenagers using martial arts as a catalyst for change
Worked with a local social enterprise to try to develop a martial arts offer that suitable for the more 'experienced' amongst our community (aged 65+)
Offered scholarship placements to those unable to afford tuition fees
Wholeheartedly supported the local I Will If You Will social movement to improve female participation in sport & physical exercise
Worked with a leading ADHD practitioner to understand the impact of martial arts training on those with the condition - published in a book called ‘Own Your ADHD - Discover Your True Potential’ by Faigy Liebermann
It's not a bad list and we wish we could do far more, but it's a good start and something we want to build upon in future years. If you have any great ideas then let us know? We're always looking for ways to give back to the community.
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