The founder of a boxing initiative for children and adults with autism has been shortlisted for Volunteer of the Year at the annual Lambeth Civic Awards.
Mark Chilvers, 56, has been running the ‘Boxing for Autism‘ scheme for three years at Miguel’s Gym, in collaboration with boxing coach Keshia Simms.
He first set up the classes after seeing Miguel’s members training in the park during the pandemic whilst out with his son, now 15, who is autistic.
He said: “The idea of being picked out makes me feel a little shy about it if I’m honest, but it’s nice to have received that pat on the back and recognition.”
Chilvers first proposed the scheme to the Lambeth division of the National Autistic Society (NAS), in which he is a committee member, as a worthy use of funds leftover during Covid.
He collaborated with Simms, whose mother had previously fostered many children including one autistic girl, and was therefore familiar with how autism presents.
Their first classes were attended by around half a dozen children, but demand has grown over the past three years, and, thanks to a grant from Lambeth Council’s ‘Changing Lives’ social value fund, Boxing for Autism has been able to hold a second class on Sunday mornings for teenagers and adults.
The organisers have put together a circuit class involving boxing combinations with punching bags, races, and floorwork.
They have adapted the gym to the participants’ needs by switching off the music and beeping timer, and creating a large visual timetable of the session so that children can follow the order of exercises.
Chilvers said: “One of the most rewarding parts has been to see the enthusiasm of the young people and some of the older participants, the teens and young adults.
“For some of them, it’s a highlight of their week.
“It’s nice to have provided them with an extracurricular activity that they feel welcomed and included in.”
Parents are invited to stay in the room during sessions, and can stay on the sidelines, or participate in exercises.
Chilvers explained that the classes provide an opportunity for parents to share experiences and offer support to one another.
“Parenting SEN kids on your own can become potentially quite an isolating experience because there are some things that are not suitable or not available to our children.”
The classes have been hugely popular, with families travelling from other boroughs including Southwark and Croydon to join in.
Chilvers said: “I’m glad that it works for the families that do regularly attend, but I think it would be great if these sorts of opportunities were more widely available.
“I suppose the reason I set it up as a volunteer is because I saw there was a potential need for my own son, and it didn’t exist.”
Chilvers was nominated for the award by the chairperson of the Lambeth branch of NAS, as well as by parents of children who have participated.
He voiced his hopes that the nomination may help when applying for future grants, for which there is much competition.
He said being shortlisted would hopefully show his own commitment and that of volunteers and families that attend, and could make Boxing for Autism stand out from other bids.
Funding from Lambeth Council has provided the scheme with financial security throughout 2025, but Chilvers said it would have to be reacquired on a year-by-year basis.
Chilvers also highlighted the work done by NAS, who run coffee mornings for autistic adults, ‘Sensory Sundays’ for young children, and light up the London Eye in purple to celebrate World Autistic Acceptance Month.
The Lambeth Civic Awards ceremony will take place on 22 April.
Picture credit: Mark Chilvers
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