Sport coach's personal tragedy and how he battles mental health stigma one punch at a time

A SPORTS coach told how a personal tragedy motivated him to found a fitness-focused project aimed at fighting the stigma around mental illness.

The result was Talk and Train, a boxing and fitness project John Shaw set up with fellow trainer Jamie Kennedy to help raise awareness of mental health.

Based at Millennium Gym in the town centre, the pair have been putting on free boxing training to boost physical and mental wellbeing.

John said: “A number of years ago, a very good friend took his own life.

“I witnessed the devastation left behind and vowed that in future I would try to remove the stigma surrounding mental health.

“I was asked to assist with a men's talk group Men Actually Talking Together' or MATT.

“This was based at Rotherham Rugby Club and was named after a guy called Matt, who played for the club but sadly took his own life.

“This group does amazing things but tends to attract older men.

“Younger men and women in Rotherham have many challenges in life.

“It’s one of the most deprived areas in the country and many suffer silently with their general wellbeing and mental health.”

John said he had always used exercise and sport as a way of keeping himself mentally balanced and had wanted to start a mental health group based around talking and exercise.

“I’ve known Jamie for years and have trained with him,” he said.

“I consider him a rock-solid, trusted friend and knew how much he cared about our community.”

Talk and Train involves two sessions per week at Millennium Gym, which are led by Simon Davies and Ian Huddleston of DC Boxing and aimed at everyone, “no matter what their level of fitness or boxing ability”.

John said they had seen “real success stories and progress” with some of their users who suffered with anxiety, low self-esteem and depression.

He added: “Jamie has the same mindset as me so I approached him with the idea.

“He was on board immediately and came up with the name ‘Talk n Train’.

“We had no idea what direction it would take us in, but our aim was to use it as a vehicle to improve the general wellbeing and mental health of everyone who not only came to sessions but who also followed us on social media.”

The group has now expanded and started working with Dinnington Community Boxing Group, who are now running two sessions a week at the Dinnington Resource Centre, with the NHS and Voluntary Action Rotherham referring potential new recruits.

Talk and Train have also worked with students Dinnington High School outside mainstream lessons to re-engage them and help them open up about their mental health.

They have connected with Bristol-based Empire Fighting Chance, who deliver the largest non-contact boxing programme for schools in the UK. 

Ian, of DC Boxing, said: “We will using the experiences Empire can offer us to look at approaching schools around the borough so we can expand, and build good relationships.

“We hope to instil work ethic, confidence and support, which can help students with their studies to push on to gain employment or go onto college.”

The next step for the group is to start another Talk and Train in Worksop at Ignite strength fitness gym, which will be funded through the National Lottery to keep sessions free.

You can find out more about the project by searching for Talk and Train on Facebook and Twitter.