Mums United opening new boxing gym at The Wicker
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00:00 I'm just talking to Sahira Ershad from Mums United in Sheffield.
00:06 Could you tell me please about Mums United and how you got started?
00:11 So Mums United is a charity based in Sheffield.
00:15 We tackle youth violence and child drug exploitation.
00:19 So we create workshops and we focus on building self-esteem and resilience amongst mums and young people.
00:27 And what's the building that you've got here?
00:32 So we have been running for about four years now.
00:36 We wanted to create a place where we could call our home, a base where we could actually bring mothers to.
00:45 And really create a safe place where mums and young people can come, be themselves, talk about issues that they're facing.
00:54 Tell me about the building here. We can see all the various punch bags that are in the background.
00:59 What's happening here?
01:00 So what I really wanted to do, I wanted to bring Mums United, take it up to the next level.
01:06 And we for the past four years have been going from one area to another.
01:12 We've been really mobile and what the young people and the mothers wanted was a base.
01:18 A place where they could come, feel safe, talk about issues that are happening in their own homes.
01:24 And also a place for the young people to come which wasn't focused in their local area.
01:30 Because some young people feel slightly threatened because of the gangs.
01:35 Don't feel like affiliating with certain gyms.
01:38 So we wanted to be somewhere central where mothers could come out of their areas.
01:45 Come and speak to us safely without being seen and protect them in that way.
01:50 And also the young people.
01:52 So this place is a safe haven for mums, for young people.
01:56 And we're trying to be really holistic in our approach.
02:00 The rising cost of living, issues that people are facing at home.
02:04 It all impacts how mothers deal with youth violence.
02:08 So we help mothers with their paperwork, if it's to do with housing, if it's to do with budgeting.
02:15 We create different workshops.
02:17 And within that we have been building resilience workshops.
02:25 And with that we wanted to encompass a sports element to it.
02:30 One of the main sports that the young people wanted was boxing.
02:34 And they feel very passionate about it.
02:37 And it's something that the mums want to get involved with as well.
02:41 So hence why we have built our own gym for the mothers to come.
02:47 When they drop their children off they want to come down and really take stock of their health.
02:53 And have a place where they can come and use the gym facilities.
02:58 Where in their local areas they may not feel comfortable in going to really.
03:05 Q. And have you had a lot of interest so far in this project?
03:10 Yeah, we have got over 60, 70 women coming in.
03:17 And there's such a demand for it, there's such a need for it.
03:22 Because the women are wanting this place.
03:25 The young people are wanting to come to this place.
03:28 Because they don't want to go to their local areas.
03:30 They want to come here because they feel safe.
03:33 So for me, I know that this place will be buzzing with a lot of activity.
03:40 A lot of mothers coming in, young people coming in.
03:43 So yeah, we've had a lot of interest.
03:45 There's a demand for it.
03:47 And what I've done is try my best as a charity trustee to meet that demand.
03:54 Q. And who are you hoping to get involved with the opening?
04:00 Is there anyone interesting, any big names?
04:03 Well, we've got the Lord Mayor.
04:05 We've got the leader of the council coming.
04:07 We would love for our local boxing talent to come.
04:13 We have local boxers that have done so well.
04:16 We'd love for a professional boxer to come.
04:19 But at the moment we haven't had a response yet.
04:22 But this is a day for the community.
04:25 So we're wanting everyone to come down to our open day.
04:29 And really see what services we have to offer.
04:33 So there'll be food, there'll be music.
04:36 And lots of boxing competitions taking place as well.
04:42 So yeah, it'll be a busy day.