PEGS celebrates Brightstar Boxing

At PEGS one of our most favourite things to do is to champion other organisations who are doing incredible work and to celebrate their achievements. After all, the only way we will have a happier safer community is if our communities work together.

Brightstar boxing is one of the organisations that PEGS is proud to be championing, based in Shifnal, Shropshire, with hubs in Wolverhampton, Hereford, Walsall, Shrewsbury, Birmingham and Stoke and led by Founding Director Joe Lockley, this amazing team are leading the way across the West Midlands and further afield in changing the way young people see, think about and believe in themselves.

Brightstar is more than a boxing club, it is a place that encourages acceptance, inclusion, empowerment, connections and creates a sense of belonging for all those who need them through their three-pronged approach of community, boxing and education.

Last Friday Founding Director Michelle and Corporate trainer Emma attended Brightstar’s 2024 celebration evening, where they caught up with the Brightstar family, had the opportunity to watch Flexus Dance Collective perform a dance show highlighting the issues that young people can face and how Brightstar helped them to overcome difficulties and encouraged them to thrive. PEGS Director said how ‘The dance was powerful and brought home how dance is so much more than movement, telling stories and experiences in a way that had everyone captivated’.

The event was attended by various organisations, supporters of Brightstar and of course some of the young people who attend, with two very heartfelt talks from two of the young members on how the support they have received has ‘changed their lives’. The whole room was touched by the honesty, rawness and passion from these lads who now also help others on their journeys too.

The event provided an opportunity to hear from a social worker, a teacher and a parent, all of whom gave their personal experience of the club and the impact this had on them, those they support and the wider community

Joe spoke about the community connection and the need to support each other; he shared his experiences with those who have supported him and the wider Brightstar team and Joe invited The High Sheriff of Shropshire to present awards to those who have supported him.

The evening was not over, not only had everyone been entertained from the start by Tony Soul who has an incredible voice, who had such energy and got the crowd singing and bopping along, we also were also privileged to witness another Brightstar star, Ethan who showed talents when he took over on the decks.

Brightstar has such a special place in PEGS teams hearts, we have seen first hand the unbelieve care, support and empowerment they provide to young people (and others!) The world is certainly a kinder place because of them and they bring so much hope to our present and future generations, we are privileged to be able to refer into Brightstar, but to quote a young person from the event ‘The question isn’t what Brightstar has done for me, but what can Brightstar do for you?’

You can find out more about Brightstar at https://www.brightstarboxing.co.uk/

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Allen Lane Foundation Supports New Workshop Lead Role to Expand Support for Parents

By PEGS Admin • March 18, 2026

We are thrilled to announce that the Allen Lane Foundation has generously funded a new Workshop Lead role to coordinate and deliver online workshops for parents and carers affected by Child-to-Parent Abuse (CPA) over the next 12 months. Parents and carers affected by CPA are often isolated, unsupported, and unsure where to turn. Our 2024 survey shows that 96% of parents feel isolated, 94% stressed, 92% scared, and 100% report an impact on emotional wellbeing. Over 70% have had to reduce or leave work. With demand for support rising to over 450 referrals per month and a 116% increase in November 2025 there is an urgent need for structured, accessible help. Expanding Online Workshops and 1:1 Support The new Workshop Lead will deliver a weekly online workshop for up to 15 participants, covering practical and emotional wellbeing topics such as stress management, goal-setting, and specialist techniques like Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). Alongside the weekly sessions, the project will also run: Bi-monthly two-part specialist workshops Monthly wellbeing workshops By taking the lead on workshop delivery, the Workshop Lead will free up our practitioner team to provide more personalised one-to-one support to high-risk parents, reaching an additional estimated 50 parents in need. Over 12 months, we anticipate that over 200 parents will benefit directly from group workshops, gaining tools to manage risk, improve emotional wellbeing, reduce stress, and build confidence. The workshops will also create a safe space for peer connection, helping to reduce isolation and foster resilience. Measuring Impact We will track success through attendance figures, participant feedback, and pre- and post-workshop surveys to capture changes in confidence, coping strategies, and wellbeing. Practitioners will also monitor the effect of increased one-to-one support to ensure parents feel safer, supported, and better able to manage their situation. Michelle John, our founding director, says: "Allen Lane Foundation’s continued support enables us to reach more parents and provide the practical guidance and personal support they urgently need. This Workshop Lead role will make a real difference, helping parents feel safer, more confident, and connected, while allowing our practitioners to provide targeted one-to-one support where it’s needed most." We are incredibly grateful to the Allen Lane Foundation for their ongoing belief in our work. This funding allows us to expand our online support, reach more parents, and provide both group and personalised assistance for those affected by CPA.