"It's changed my life for the better": Salisbury teen on free weightlifting sessions
Kingdom Barbell provides free sessions for young people three days a week
A teenager from Salisbury says his physical and mental wellbeing has been transformed thanks to a free weightlifting programme.
17-year-old Ben has been attending free sessions with Kingdom Barbell in the city, which have enabled him to learn new skills and build his confidence.
The organisation, which offers term-time sessions on weekdays, ran a summer programme to help keep youngsters engaged and active during the break from lessons.
"I was stuck at home, I had days on end where I was doing nothing all day. It was soul draining," Ben told us. "But Kingdom Barbell Youth Development made me feel so much more able to do things in my life.
"It made me feel like I had a purpose, it made me feel like I was able to make myself better, rather than just waiting for something else to change and make me feel more in control of who I am."
He says it's also helped grow his confidence and helped him believe he can overcome any barriers in his way.
"I remember when I couldn't, I was lifting a weight and I couldn't do it at all. I put it back on the floor and I said, I can't do this. But I got told I can. And after hearing that, I tried one more time and I actually did completely do it perfectly. It's all about the mindset. If you believe you can do it, you can do it," Ben said.
He told us that the sessions have helped build a physical and mental resilience, saying it's "changed his life for the better".
Ben said where there was previously doubt, dislike about his appearance, discomfort with his interactions with others, it's been replaced with confidence and strength to be involved in competitions, as well as a discipline he's vowing to take into his studies and work placements.
Building habits and lifelong lessons
The sessions have been funded by supporters of the charity and a Council grant, which allowed the session to continue throughout the summer.
Head Coach and CEO, George Barsby, said the summer programme was a success, with an increased number of young people taking part, meaning he is now aiming to open a fourth day of sessions during term time to accommodate demand.
He told us he takes great pride in seeing the youngsters learn, grow and become the best version of themselves.
George said: "One of the main goals is to try and set those lifelong habits of regular exercise, both to maintain their health and their fitness, but also their mental health and teach them things that are going to transfer to the rest of their life."
He added that the group is developing a strong social bond, with friendships being formed.
The programme isn't solely about developing strength, with the chance for young people to also compete, as Ben has done.
"Some of the young people are starting to do their first competitions and so they're able to participate in the sport both recreationally and competitively," George said. "The long-term hope is that those with the ability will eventually be able to compete at a high level, which is an opportunity that I think they otherwise wouldn't have had if it wasn't for the free program that we have here," George said.
He says he will keep pursing grants that are available to the charity to provide more sessions for young people and to ensure the space they use at Churchfields Industrial Estate can continue to be a haven of confidence-boosting progress for teenagers.
Young people can join and people can support the KBYD programme here.