My name is Lorna Jones and I have suffered with mental health conditions for most of my life.
I started working with Jamie Hamilton from Aspire around 18 months ago and he introduced me to the Active Body, Healthy Mind scheme. I started the Boxercise sessions and straight away I could feel the benefits! Even if I felt low before the session, I noticed I always felt better after the session had ended. My confidence and mental wellbeing started to increase so much that eventually I felt able to move out of supported housing into my own flat.
Jamie approached me in December 2016 and spoke to me about the possibility of my attending a Level 1 Boxing Coaching Course. I thought this would be a fantastic opportunity, so I said, “Yes”!
I started the course on the 7th January this year and I really enjoyed it, although I found it very challenging.
By the 22nd January I had completed the course and I was delighted to be told I had passed!
I am currently volunteering as a youth boxing coach at Berinsfield Boxing Club, and I teach classes of up to 30 youths at a time.
This is mind blowing for me, as I have come so far in such a short time. It just goes to show that if you put your mind to something you can achieve anything!
I am so grateful for the help and support I have got from both Aspire and Active Body, Healthy Mind, and I am now looking forward to the future. My goal is to keep moving forward and achieve the Level 2 boxing qualification in January next year.