I AM an occupational therapist currently working in the NHS full-time, helping give short-term rehab and support to people after illness or injury.

But alongside my role I run Box Positive which is a community interest company set up for people with a range of health conditions.

On Tuesday mornings at Droitwich Amateur Boxing Club off Briar Mill, groups are designed specifically for people living with Parkinson’s.

I also see people in the evenings for one-to-one rehab sessions.

There is now lots of evidence highlighting the importance of this type of exercise in combating Parkinson’s symptoms and even slowing down the progression of the disease.

The high-intensity aspect, like punching the bags, helps produce endorphins that can protect dopamine neurotransmitters that are lost in Parkinson’s.

The exercises also focus on balance, strength, coordination, speech and cognition that can all be affected in the condition.

We have been running for nearly six years and have had multiple positive outcomes in follow-up assessments and the community we have built is incredible.

The shared experience and positive atmosphere elicits a sense of optimism and hope as opposed to how the incurable degenerative condition of Parkinson’s can make people feel - perhaps apathetic, depressed or lonely.

With the improved strength and coordination comes an improved sense of confidence and then an ability to overcome previous challenges.

For example, eating gets easier, like handling cutlery, due to dexterity improvements or picking up the shopping, the ability to walk independently and a range of other activities that we may take for granted.

Plus the prevention of future falls or reducing fatigue.

Putting the gloves on makes people feel like a fighter as opposed to ‘a patient’.

People can immerse themselves in the liberating experience of punching/throwing a medicine ball or deadlifting.

People are doing things they have never done before and loving it!

I am a former British amateur boxing champion, represented England on numerous occasions and was coached by Chris Andrews in the same club in Droitwich from 14 years of age.

I then coached in community centres and pupil referral units.

I held a role as head coach at Droitwich ABC although felt very conflicted having treated former boxers and people involved with contact sports now living with dementia (CTE).

So, even though I competed myself at a young age, I can no longer justify competitive boxing as a beneficial activity in the long run for anyone under the age of 18.

I haven’t been great with marketing but we have something very special at Droitwich ABC and the more people that know the better.

They may be able to transform their life or someone else’s with the knowledge that exercise when done correctly can be disease-modifying!

I use non-contact boxing to help people recovering from strokes and living with a range of other neurological, neurodevelopmental, mental health conditions, cancer rehab and prehab too.

It’s a powerful activity, both physically and emotionally.

The sad thing is the NHS is not funding programmes like Box Positive that keep people out of hospital.

And I see first-hand in my occupational therapist role the impact this has on people.

Gyms need to be allocated funding to get older adults in there.

This will help prevent illnesses and falls, saving the NHS billions in the long run.

You can follow me on X at @charles_delve.

Our columnist Charles Delve is an occupational therapist and Box Positive director.