About Samsons Academy.

Our Story…

The Academy is more than just a gym, we are a gym which holds full charity status and are affiliate several governing bodies. We have qualified coaches teaching students to box in competitions, Olympics and Commonwealth. We also focus our attention on the health and well-being of the community. We also have instructors working for Samsons Academy who are World Champions in their own rights who support the academy and run classes throughout the week and over the weekends.

There are areas throughout the county which are the most deprived catchment areas in Bedfordshire and hav a high concentration of people classified as living in poverty. Unemployment, gang crime and poverty are rife where we have seen two associated deaths over the past 8 years, many young people do not have a positive outlet for their frustrations. Samsons Academy also supports the surrounding areas of Bedford, where we take referrals from Hertfordshire College, Oak Bank Pupil Referral Unit and organisations in Milton Keynes. We also work closely with Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Probatiton Services.

FITNESS

Using the ethos of combat sports, we are helping to improve the lives of those that might be socially excluded. We offer a welcoming and inclusive environment for all the community to learn boxing regardless of ability as well as Muay Thai, Yoga, Pilates, Boxercise, K1, Kick Boxing and other forms of combative sports. We are promoting community cohesion across barriers of age, gender, race, sexual orientation and religion etc. We are here to offer the chance of change. Samsons Academy is a support network and a base for training and self-growth. We are community focused organisation working in partnership with professionals and other agencies such as Faces Bedford, Bedfordshire Probation Service, YOS, CANS, CAHMS, Aspire, Bedford Prison, SSG, Amicus Trust, Bedford Borough Council plus others.

MENTAL HEALTH

We also support young adults and some older adults who are living with mental health impairment and illness. Mental ill health comes in many forms, it can affect people of all ages and each person differently. If you are currently supporting someone who is experiencing poor mental health, it can be very difficult to know what to do and how to respond. Given that the festive season is a joy for many, it can also be a miserable time for others and can exacerbate the symptoms of those affected by mental ill health. This is why we run our programmes throughout the entire year to give those living with mental health issues a fighting chance in developing the skills required to live with and combat these issues.

TESTIMONIALS

“I’ve been coming to the Academy for the past six years, and during that time, it’s been so much more than just a place — it’s been a lifeline. No matter what I was going through, I’ve always found the support I needed here. The men’s mental health programmes have made a real difference, not just for me, but for so many others. In those darkest moments, when everything feels like it’s falling apart, they’ve been that steady light — reminding us that we’re not alone, that we matter, and that it’s worth holding on.

Honestly, without the support of the men’s projects, a lot of us wouldn’t still be here today. That’s the impact they’ve had — they’ve given us hope when we thought we had none.”
Gracjan Sabon