Churchill Private Hospital Trust offers Community donations to eligible groups within the Marlborough region, through an application process. As part of this programme we are highlighting some of the initiatives that have benefited from Churchill’s support. Applicants from local groups and clubs can apply for funding from Churchill to support their work or event which directly benefits the health and wellbeing of the Marlborough community.
In The Salvation Army’s 2023 State of the Nation Report, data showed that nearly one in four young people between 15-24 years old struggle with high or very high levels of psychological distress. Māori and Pasifika were found to be even more vulnerable, experiencing higher rates than European or Asian people.
For some rangatahi, this can lead to struggles with truancy and behavioral problems. However, students at Marlborough Girls College are now benefiting from a boxing initiative that, this year, is proudly supported by Churchill’s grant scheme.
Marlborough Girls College Counsellor Rachel Anderson sees approximately 20 youth per term take part in the Box On Boxing programme. These students are typically referred by the Leadership Team, Kaiako, and Guidance staff. Facilitated by local boxing instructor and mental health advocate Lee Tepuia, the programme runs weekly on Mondays at the college, using gear that Lee brings from his own gym.
Churchill’s grant covers Lee’s time. “We are incredibly grateful for the support of Churchill Trust to make this opportunity available to our students,” said Rachel. “It goes directly to the kids who don’t have those resources. Accessibility is huge,” she says. “For the vast majority of them, even paying to go to a boxing class outside of school would be a big ask.”
Box On Boxing uses physical activity to address mental health. Lee Tepuia is a relatable influence for these young people, and boxing offers an outlet for the range of mental health issues they bring to class. This year’s programme builds on the success of last year’s pilot, with some students returning to take on leadership roles.
Benefits to Students
Feedback from last year’s participants indicates a range of positive outcomes, both in physical and mental health. Benefits included stress relief, relationship building, gaining new skills, emotional wellness, confidence building, and physical fitness.
Box On Boxing improves student engagement at school and gives rangatahi a renewed sense of self, purpose, and place while teaching them a new physical activity that is otherwise inaccessible at school.
Rachel says the impact the programme is making with the youth is easy to see. “I have had students come into guidance to see if boxing is on, and they’re so excited to do it. You can genuinely see that the girls feel really comfortable because Lee gets them, their upbringing, their kind of lives.” This has had a knock-on effect in the form of new relationships and skills formed within the Box On Boxing class. Additionally, “Mentors have stepped up into leadership roles in their second year being involved in the programme, and the way they flourish and support the younger students in the sessions is really heartwarming.”
One student shared that boxing is their favourite thing to do at school. “It gives me a way to channel my emotions in a healthy way. It also helps me connect with new people, engage, and hear their stories. It helps me to not feel so alone.”
“Boxing is a good opportunity to channel stress in a positive way. It’s also nice to be able to mentor the younger girls; it makes us older ones feel like we’re giving back and teaching them new skills,” says another.
Churchill General Manager Marlise van Staden spoke of the importance of the initiative. “Boxing has been instrumental for years in adding meaning and purpose to the lives of young people,” she said. “Churchill Hospital is delighted to take part in this initiative, helping our youth to ‘fight life’ through their fears and challenges.”
You can learn more about Churchill’s Community Grants here.
