A free health and wellbeing programme designed to support people experiencing mental ill health will launch at Oxford Stadium this month, and spaces can be reserved now.
The Frank Bruno Foundation’s Round By Round project combines non-contact boxing with light fitness and classroom-based sessions to help participants develop skills to fulfil a happy and successful future.
Sessions will initially be delivered on Friday afternoons at the multi-purpose Cowley venue from January 27 between 1pm-4pm.
All activities are held in an open and inclusive environment and support people to increase their self-confidence, self-regulation, social skills and overall wellbeing. No prior boxing experience or level of fitness is necessary and anyone aged 13 or older can enrol.
Brandon Eldred, Chief Operations Officer at the Frank Bruno Foundation Centre, encouraged anyone experiencing any form of mental ill health to sign-up and take a big step in building on their existing mental and physical strengths.
“Launching Round By Round is a significant step forwards in our vision to support people living in Oxfordshire experiencing mental ill health,” said Brandon. “This programme is the only one of its kind in the county and delivers a well-rounded, complementary, service that targets improving participants’ mental and physical health.
“Our team of experienced and qualified mentors are well-placed to help people recover from previous trauma and set new goals while boosting their own confidence and social skills via fun and engaging activities and sessions.
“We’re keen to hear from anyone who believes they may benefit from our team’s help and look forward to starting our first programme later this month.”
Established in 2017, Round By Round is the Foundation’s flagship programme and is available to anyone aged 13 or older. Participants can be referred by a professional, a friend or by self-referral.
Each programme is delivered in two six-week waves with the first half combining fitness and goal setting with individual sessions on nutrition, yoga and more.
The Foundation then delivers a separate wraparound service where its mentors can offer participants advice on housing, counselling, debt, addiction, CV writing, volunteering and club memberships.
The programme’s launch in Oxfordshire coincides with a record high number of referrals for specialist NHS mental health care with NHS Digital recording 4.3 million referrals in 2021 alone.
“The need for a programme of this kind locally has never been greater,” said Brandon. “Pressure on local healthcare services has already reached a critical point, and the ongoing effects of the cost-of-living crisis will only add to the situation.
“Round By Round will deliver the support, encouragement and motivation required by those currently facing or recovering from mental ill-health and in turn ease pressure on vital key services.
“Boxing is a tremendous platform to inspire positive change. Ultimately, we want our work to knockout the stigma attached to mental ill health and help people talk openly and not feel discriminated against when talking about how they feel.”
If you or anyone you know might benefit from becoming one of Oxford Stadium’s first Round By Round participants, please contact the Frank Bruno Foundation team via www.thefrankbrunofoundation.co.uk.
Anyone aged 13 or older is eligible to enrol and each programme has capacity to work with 20 participants. The first programme will be delivered every Friday between 1pm-4pm for 12 weeks from Friday, January 27.
Reopened in April 2022, Oxford Stadium is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment venue in Cowley hosting greyhound racing and motorcycle speedway. It is also home to the Frank Bruno Foundation’s Oxford centre.
