EMPOWERING OTHERS THROUGH
SPORT & RECOVERY
Our
Approach
Fighting For Freedom offers supportive sessions that combines the discipline and skills of boxing with the transformative power of a recovery program.
By offering a holistic approach to prevention, rehabilitation, and personal growth, we empower individuals to create brighter futures.
​
We look at utilising educationally led workshops for self reflection and self recovery followed by physical exercise.
The
Story
Having navigated the challenges and structures of the prison system firsthand as an inmate, our founder understood the complexities and struggles individuals face within a prison environment. However, following a transformative journey, he redirected efforts towards contributing to the third sector in the recovery space.
Throughout his sentence, he observed a recurring pattern among many young men who seemed oblivious to the detrimental impact of their actions on themselves, their families, and their communities. Witnessing these individuals return to incarceration, often in worse circumstances than before, compelled him to reflect on his own potential trajectory.
It became evident that personal change was imperative for him to become a constructive member of society. This realisation marked a pivotal moment in his journey – a moment considered as a "lightbulb" moment, you could say it was the bell going for his most significant fight.
​
Now, Fighting For Freedom shares the ideology of recovering together, one fight at a time.
Partners
'The team at Fighting for Freedom are not only highly motivated and committed to their work/mission, they have brought a whole new dimension to the work of Recovery at HMP Glenochil.
I am delighted that they have widened the reach of Recovery and attracted a group of new people in custody for the first time to Recovery work., These people are attracted to partnering with Fighting for Freedom in an attempt to strengthen their physical fitness goals and as a result are challenged and strengthened in their emotional wellbeing.
This has clarified in my mind the need to continue to be organic in our development of Recovery work in prisons and that the power of partnership working and key collaborations are making a significant difference massive difference one life, and one day at a time'.
- Governor in Charge, Natalie Beal, HMP Glenochil
(September 2024)
Our Work WITH SPS
"Those in our care at HMP Glenochil have been working with Fighting For Freedom to explore their recovery and wellbeing journeys, through exercise and open conversation.
The organisations’s workshops utilise a mix of fitness and communication to aid people in their recovery, creating a non-judgemental and supportive environment, regardless of where participants are on their journeys.
Workshops include aspects of group discussion, tasks and peer mentoring, which are then followed by exercise and boxing lessons.
The long-term goal is to give participants a positive outlet for their emotions, whilst providing support to reduce their substance use throughout their sentence and beyond the prison walls.
As the organisation is founded and led by individuals with lived experience of the justice system and recovery, participants are able to speak freely to people who truly understand their circumstances.
So far, the workshops have seen positive outcomes for participants in respect of their attitudes, levels of fitness and a reduction in the usage of substances. Many have shared their wishes for further engagement with the organisation to help them along their recovery journeys." - Scottish Prison Service