Boxercise gives abuse survivors a fighting chance
A unique programme offering boxercise sessions to women who have experienced abuse has quickly expanded
A new campaign to help women who have been victims of abuse is already booming after just one month.
Cage fighter Nina Reaney launched boxercise sessions at the S18 gym in Mill Lane Dronfield to help women regain control of their lives.
She was unsure how successful the initiative would be.
But in four weeks, she has doubled the number of sessions in a week, partnered up with Dronfield's Jayne Withington, a prominent British combat sports official.
On top of that, Nina has linked up with The Elm Foundation, a specialist charity based in Chesterfield, that provides support and services to adults, children, and families affected by domestic abuse.
Referrals have started, and numbers are generally growing at the empowerment sessions, which come under the new company slogan, ‘Fight back, Rise strong’.
Nina said: "We have only been going a month, but Jayne and I feel great about where we are with it.
"You can see how some of the women are really benefiting from the boxercise, but also enjoying being there, having fun and having a laugh.
"Some of them actually started to need the sessions and are excelling in them.
"This is all about unity and we think we are starting to make a difference" she said.
"Something like this can be great for confidence and positivity - it can be life-changing."
The Elm Foundation posted that the women-only session were: "A fantastic chance for women with lived experience of domestic abuse to take back control, build physical fitness with a community of women in a safe and supported environment. The Elm Foundation is thrilled to be building a relationship with Nina and Jayne."