About
Who We Are
- We are a mental health support group in Sheffield, that uses the power of boxing to help people talk about their mental illness. We currently provide 6x free sessions per week in Sheffield, the sessions are a mixture of boxing training, circuit training and talking.
Our Classes
- Our aim is to support and share.
- Our classes provide a foundation for people to talk or listen.
- We are not trained psychologists but have lived through our own mental health experiences.
- What is said in the sessions will remain private and confidential between the group.
- An opportunity to get both physically and mentally fit.
- Suitable gym clothing and footwear.
- A drink
- If you do not have your own boxing gloves and hand wraps, we can provide you with the equipment needed.
- We have a wide range of abilities, ages, heights, weights and genders attending our sessions, everyone is welcome! No prior boxing experience is needed.
- People who want to improve their Mental Fitness.
Testimonial
“I have a long-term mental health condition. I know there is a lot of support out there, medication, therapies, support… but sometimes engaging with that is an uphill struggle. Arranging, attending, talking, following up; these can be emotionally exhausting. There are many times when I only just have the mental resources to maintain my day to day life. Sometimes I just want a safe space that I can access with minimum fuss, where the people are accepting and understanding. At times I just need to run off some negative energy without spending hours in the gym, on the treadmill, alone. For me the MentalMate boxing sessions are absolutely ideal. I can attend with minimum fuss and it feels welcoming so I don’t need to organise emotional support. Folks there are available to talk – if you want to – but equally they don’t press if you aren’t at a stage where you can unload. The activities are suitable for a range of ages and fitness levels and people are not judgemental. As an added bonus its great fun and even if the world is getting a bit much to deal with, after a class I have a huge lift in mood which lasts the rest of the day.
Daniel does an amazing job of balancing the huge range of attendees, raising both funds for the club and awareness of mental health. I can’t fault the level of dedication he has shown, nor the care he takes to keep an eye and check in on people. As important, the group is developing a culture of support within itself.”