Anthony’s journey with YMCA started when he was just 16 and a student at our Horizon Project. The course, which equips young people with carpentry and joinery skills, is designed to help students who are hard-to-reach, have SEN or additional needs to get back into education, training or employment.
Life back then was difficult for Anthony. Home life was particularly challenging, and he was struggling at school. Following this, he became homeless for almost two years, suffering from extreme anxiety and mental health issues, until he was pointed in the direction of The Bridge Trust (a supported housing charity which is now part of YMCA TGG). They provided him with support as well as housing, and also found him some voluntary work at the charities furniture retail outlet in Tonbridge.
Anthony has gone from strength-to-strength since. A few years later, he was offered a paid role as a Learning Support Assistant at the Horizon Project. In his second year as an LSA, he passed his functional skills and Level 3 Teaching Award with flying colours. He was then promoted to Personal Development Mentor and with lived experience, was able to relate to and support likeminded students.
At around the same time and in his spare time, Anthony was a boxing coach. With a dream of owning his own boxing club, it wasn’t long before his hopes became a reality and the Tonbridge Amateur Boxing club was born. Anthony left his role as LSA to focus on the club but the story doesn’t end there. Anthony is now working in partnership with YMCA and delivers free boxing coaching and support to YMCA students and residents.
There is so much local interest in this venture, which particularly (but not exclusively) targets young people who have or have had difficulties and hurdles in their lives, helping build confidence and self-belief. The club – also a charity – is rapidly expanding and is already over-subscribed.
