Martial arts instructor sets kickboxing mission to tackle mental health stigma
He hopes to reduce anti-social behaviour by helping young people
A martial arts instructor in March hopes that his kickboxing academy can make an impact on those that are struggling with their mental health.
Stuart Harris of RKA Kickboxing Academy is keen to tackle the issue, having known friends that are overcoming post-traumatic stress disorder.
He aims to use sport and exercise as a tool to try and ease mental health issues of those in the town and surrounding areas.
“We’re dedicated to what we do within martial arts and impact it has on people’s lives, so we want to generate that even more and help as many people as we can,” said Stuart.
“I think we’re getting recognised as being a safe zone where we are proving to help people and hope that continues.
“Hitting a punch bag for half an hour, there’s nothing better to clear your mind and think ‘yeah, I’ve achieved something’ and we’re looking to help people in their day-to-day lives.”
"If we can help one person, that's an achievement"
Stuart is in his third year of running RKA Kickboxing Academy on Thorby Avenue and won planning permission to expand his dojo which is due to reopen on 19th May.
By the end of this year, he wants to increase membership from around 180 to 250 due to the plans.
He also wants youngsters to take part in the Glove Up project, which aims to tackle anti-social behaviour in the local area.
And during Mental Health Awareness Week which runs until 21st May, Stuart, who was elected a Fenland district councillor at the local elections earlier this month, hopes he can offer a helping hand.
“It’s really important to keep that drive going and give kids an opportunity to realise if they’ve got a goal, we can give them a focus and they can achieve it,” he said.
“If you approach them (young people) in the right way, I think it would have an impact on them and give them something to think about.
“To be able to give people that area where they know they’ve got somewhere to go, it’s a massive difference in someone’s life and if we can help one person, that is an achievement.”