Former boxing world champion George Groves on a renovation of a boxing club

An iconic community boxing club – described as ‘an East End legend since 1922 and home to countless champions’ – will open its doors mid-renovation.

West Ham Boxing Club in Newham, a vital space that provides structure, support and opportunity for local young people, is being transformed by social enterprise, Volunteer It Yourself (VIY).

VIY, whose volunteers are at risk of disengagement, offers young people the chance to learn trade skills whilst renovating community spaces, creating direct pathways from NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) into recognized qualifications and, ultimately, a job.

As part of the renovation being delivered alongside Dulux, West Ham Boxing Club will be completely transformed with a full interior and exterior repaint – brightening, modernising and restoring the space to create a more welcoming and inspiring environment for those who rely on it.

Aston spoke to former boxing world champion George Groves.

Photo by Bogdan Yukhymchuk on Unsplash