Exeter church boxing courses serving to with private battles

A former homeless man who “smashed his life to bits” mentioned church and boxing have turned his life round.

Ben Cookson runs free boxing health courses – often called Fitter for Faith classes – each Wednesday at St David’s Church in Exeter.

The 50-year-old turned homeless after turning to medication in his mid-30s when he misplaced his enterprise, however mentioned he had overcome dependancy after going to the church for the primary time 4 years in the past.

He mentioned he used boxing classes on the church to succeed in out to individuals battling dependancy and break down boundaries.

Mr Cookson mentioned: “People don’t openly want to talk to a random stranger about their trauma, or the shame or guilt they might carry.

“What the boxing does is it that it builds a relationship, after which after I share a few of my expertise with individuals they actually open up.”

Mr Cookson, who has run the Fitter for Faith at the church for two years, said the church and the boxing sessions had a positive impact on people, including himself.

“The recession got here [after the 2008 financial crash], I misplaced my home, my enterprise, my household and in my mid-30s, I turned to cocaine for the primary time,” he mentioned.

“I principally went on a 10-year bender and simply smashed my life to bits and ended up homeless.

“Since the day I came to church, I’ve never touched drugs or alcohol – that’s four years.”

The vicar at St David’s Church, Reverend Mike Clark, mentioned there was “no judgement” of individuals attending the health classes and other people may discover religion in the event that they wished to.

“I just think it’s amazing what Ben is doing bringing in such a variety of people,” Mr Clark mentioned.

“Boxing is not something I’d have ever thought about doing in a church but I can see how it enables him to connect with people.”

Along with individuals preventing dependancy, the Fitter for Faith classes are additionally open to those that wish to enhance their well being.

Moira Dale, 74, attends the courses frequently and mentioned doing boxing made her “feel good”.

“If it’s doing that for me, what is it doing for these other young people,” she mentioned.

“It’s teaching them discipline, control, and everything else like that. It’s just the best thing.”