Boxing Storytelling Campaign
Lessons For Britain For a Boxing Gym
A portrait and storytelling campaign at London Community Boxing, capturing how young people from diverse backgrounds create belonging, trust, and unity amid rising loneliness, division, and social tension in Britain in December, 2025
Creative Director: Gray Lee Brame
Mark, Age 16 Boxer at London Community Boxing, London
Jada, Age 15 Boxer at London Community Boxing, London
Preface
At a time when Britain is struggling with loneliness, youth isolation, political distrust, and rising social divides, London Community Boxing (LCB) offers a rare counter-example: a room where people from Afghanistan, Nigeria, Jamaica, Eastern Europe, and London stand shoulder to shoulder and call each other family.
Inside this gym, young people practise values our public life often forgets: care without judgement, effort without exploitation, learning from mistakes, and looking out for the person next to you. Here, difference is the foundation of belonging
These portraits capture young boxers imagining what Britain could look like if it mirrored the world they’ve built inside these four walls. Their words are simple, but they carry political weight:
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If Britain were more like London Community Boxing, I think we might learn a thing or two. Look at the environment these young people have created here. With huge differences in cultures, backgrounds and languages they come together to train hard, pushing each other to improve. Then watch them all walk out of the door together, fist bumping each other. Its great to see that.
I guess differences take a back seat when the gloves go on; only respect, commitment, and discipline really matter. Whether they compete for medals, national titles, or simply walk out of the door more confident, with new friends and a deeper respect for hard work and each other ..... that’s the big win!”
- Chris Lodge, Head Coach of London Community Boxing
In a room where people from Afghanistan, Nigeria, Jamaica, Eastern Europe, and London stand side by side, young boxers describe what it feels like to belong in here. Their words are simple, but they carry political weight when we ask them:
“What Britain would be like if it was more like London Community Boxing?“
Shuieb, Age 22 Boxer at London Community Boxing, London
Shuieb moved to London from Afghanistan in 2017. He calls himself a ‘troublemaker’, someone who often gets into conflicts with the police. After spending 7-8 months on a mental health programme, he met Chris Lodge, head coach of LCB, which made him feel at home instantly. He said: ‘LCB makes me feel like im part of a family, just like every other young person here.’
Since then, this ‘troublemaker’ would act like he was having a good day even if he wasn't, just to make other people feel welcomed in the club and make them feel happy.
“I believe this place is for everyone, no matter where you come from, what your sexuality, what your religion, everyone is welcome here.”
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I think there would be more peace and tranquillity in this country...Let's say if the support that I am getting at the gym, if the country were supporting young people like this, I don’t think there would be any knife crimes, or domestic violence or anything like that, because if anyone is getting support like this, they will be able to achieve quite a lot in their lives”
- Shuieb
Boxing teaches young people to give 110%, to learn from bad days, and to translate discipline into school, friendships, and life choices. But it also pushes a deeper question, what if the political and social institutions around them put in the same effort?
Elijah, Age 16 Boxer at London Community Boxing, London
Originally from Nigeria, Elijah said that he was a really ‘flaccid kid’ growing up, lacking care for himself, but he had this ‘fighting feeling’. His brother told him that he needed discipline as he frequently ‘got involved with street fighting and drugs’. To which he responded, “You can’t just have discipline, you need to earn discipline.” For him, boxing is love and passion. The effort that he put into boxing is in everything that he does outside boxing, always putting in 110%
He said, “LCB, as its name suggests, is all about community; we do not tolerate any hate or anything like that. It's about being a family, it’s like another home to me.”
Elijah, Age 16 Boxer at London Community Boxing, London
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“There will be a lot more effort. Look at the political effects, look at the economic effects, if putting effort in was in place, because most of the things thats going on in the world, they are not really putting effort into, look at the politics, look at the government. People who put effort in, you will receive a lot more”
- Elijah
When everyone — individuals, communities, and institutions, puts effort into caring for each other, change becomes possible. It's not about one’s own effort, but about building a world where governments, schools, and communities invest the same energy into young people that these boxers invest in themselves and each other. That mutual effort can challenge how politics operates and how government serves communities.
Britain today is suffering from loneliness, youth isolation, and fractured communities. How can we look at multiculturalism as a practical solution to social breakdown?
LCB shows how young people construct solidarity rather than retreat into closed groups.
Mark, Age 16 Boxer at London Community Boxing, London
Mark struggled with confidence due to weight management before coming to LCB. After coming here, he said that LCB is a place where he can work on himself, where he feels comfortable being himself and ultimately to be more confident in himself.
When asked what he would say to someone walking into the gym for the first time, he said, “A lot of people who come here are from many different backgrounds, and some have English as their second language, and I would tell them that everyone here is your friend, and will welcome them with open arms.”
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It would be a lot more loving place. If everywhere was just like what I said about this gym, everywhere would be a lot more loving and caring, and everyone would be able to see each other face to face, instead of looking at each other’s differences, and accept and embrace everyone’s differences.
- Mark
While political discourse frames difference as a threat, LCB shows something simpler: shared spaces turn strangers into allies. Multiculturalism isn't an abstract ideal, it's what happens when people have somewhere safe to practice it together. London Community Boxing is one of those rare spaces where young people build trust across the very borders that politics keeps trying to divide.
Chris Lodge, Head Coach at London Community Boxing, London
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Learn how to have a bad day in the gym.
Yeah that's important. In boxing gyms up and down the country, coaches don't just teach the jab; they are the first example of trust and accountability a young person may ever know. You see that boxing ring, in there you'll find a fierce critic but also your best teacher.
You simply can't put spin on fatigue, courage and effort. They are absolute and humbling truths.
It's common today to see influential people refusing to admit mistakes. They might think it makes them look weak, cost them votes or likes. A bad day in a boxing gym is about taking ownership of your flaws so you can fix them. There's probably a useful lesson in there somewhere!
- Chris
While political discourse frames difference as a threat, LCB shows something simpler: shared spaces turn strangers into allies. Multiculturalism isn't an abstract ideal, it's what happens when people have somewhere safe to practice it together. London Community Boxing is one of those rare spaces where young people build trust across the very borders that politics keeps trying to divide.
For these young boxers (the portraits), the gym is where they confront failure, fear, frustration, and grow from it. They imagine what it would look like if Britain took the same approach: less shouting, more listening. Less blame, more reflection.
In these faces and stories, the editorial uncovers a powerful lesson: progress starts with the courage to confront what went wrong, whether in boxing or in society.
