Every Sunday
11:45am – 1:15pm
Boxing
BrothersAges 14+
Proper coached boxing — fitness, technique and sparring for those who want it.
Plaistow, East London
Free sport,
skills and support
for young people
Boxing, self-defence and family sessions run every week from the Suhbah Centre. No fees, no membership, no catch.
- Cost
- Always free
- Ages
- 5 – 25
- Weekly
- Sundays
- Venue
- Suhbah Centre
00 · About
A room in Plaistow,
open to everyone
The Suhbah Centre, 174 Balaam Street, E13 8RD
Ground Roots is a Community Interest Company, registered in September 2024 and based in Plaistow, Newham.
Everything happens from one room on Balaam Street — a space where young people and families come together to train, learn and spend time with each other.
Every young person deserves the chance to thrive, whatever their background. That is why nothing we run costs anything.
15+
Free programmes running since November 2024
01 · What’s on
Two sessions,
every single week
Both run at the Suhbah Centre in Plaistow and both are free. Alongside them we run workshops, family activities and community events through the year.
Every Sunday
10:00 – 11:30am
Self Defence
SistersAges 11+
A women-only session focused on practical self-defence and confidence.
02 · Also running through the year
Sport & fitness
- Table tennis (11+)
- MMA / BJJ
- Archery (sisters)
Education & development
- Leadership training & public speaking
- Life skills & personal development
- Financial literacy workshops
- CV writing & career guidance
- Digital skills & media literacy
Family & children
- Dads & Toddlers drop-in
- Children's arts & crafts (5–9)
- Sisters Activities Club
Community events
- Charity football tournaments
- Ramadan Tarawih prayers, daily through Ramadan
- Free headshot photoshoot
Thinking of coming along?
You don’t need to book. Message us to check what’s running and we’ll tell you the time, where to go and what to bring.
02 · What we deliver
The posters
on the wall
A snapshot of what we put on — all of it free, all of it in one room in Plaistow.
03 · Impact
Small operation,
serious mileage
Serving Newham, Tower Hamlets and surrounding East London boroughs — with free programmes that also raise funds for causes further afield.
- Programmes running
- 15+Programmes running
- WhatsApp community
- 100+WhatsApp community
- Charity tournaments
- 3Charity tournaments
- Boroughs served
- 3+Boroughs served
- Running since
- Nov '24Running since
04 · Who runs it
The people
you’ll actually meet
A small team of local volunteers who live in and around the community they serve.
Syed
Lead Director
Mizan
Centre Organiser
Nabil
Lead Youth Coach
Tommy
MMA Coach
Attir
Programme Coordinator
Volunteers
The rest of the team
Safeguarding
Our staff are DBS checked. We work with children and young people, and we take that responsibility seriously.
Our safeguarding policy sets out how we protect the people who come to us and how to raise a concern. You’re also welcome to come along, meet the coaches and watch a session before your child takes part — just ask.
06 · Gallery
Moments
that matter
05 · Get involved
Keep it free
for the next kid
GroundRoots runs on volunteers and donations. No membership fee, no waiting list — and we’d like to keep it that way.
Volunteer with us
Coach a session, help at events, or lend a professional skill. Most volunteers give a couple of hours a week.
Roles working with young people require a DBS check — we'll guide you through it.
Ask about volunteeringDonate
Every session is free to attend. Donations cover equipment, coaches and the cost of keeping the doors open.
Ground Roots is a CIC, not a registered charity, so donations aren't Gift Aid eligible.
Ask how to giveBuy a shirt
Get a GroundRoots shirt. Made to order, and what you pay goes straight back into free sessions.
Delivered UK-wide, or collect from the centre.
Visit the shopPartner or fund
Businesses, funders and local organisations — sponsor a programme, run a team volunteering day, or match-fund a project.
We're two miles from Canary Wharf and welcome corporate partnerships.
Start a conversation07 · Contact
Come and
find us
Message us to check what's running, ask about volunteering, or start a conversation about funding.
WhatsApp community
Request an invite by email →Registered company
Ground Roots Community Interest Company · Company No. 15962442
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