For decades, The Hunslet Club has been the heart of the South Leeds community, providing a safe and supportive environment where young people can grow, learn, and thrive. Its impact reaches far beyond the activities it offers, creating meaningful change in the lives of countless children, teens and their families in the area and beyond. Here is one story that proves how The Hunslet Club has become a powerful force for good and how that good has spread to another continent.
Craig Robinson is a former member of The Hunslet Club and now Co-Founder of a non-profit ‘For Another Human’, a charity dedicated to empowering developing communities to become more sustainable through quality education and community activities in Northern Uganda.
Although he didn’t know it at the time, his journey to Uganda began in the 1980’s when he joined The Hunslet Club as a young boy. He spent his teenage years as a member of the Hunslet Club Boxing Team, where he describes his coach, who is now our current CEO Dennis Robbins, as not just a coach but a mentor, big brother and friend. Craig said:
‘My team mates became my best mates, and we created lifelong memories in the gym, at competitions around the country and on club trips. What I didn’t realise at the time was that the club and its members were shaping my character with strength and confidence, my values of community, friendship and belonging, and the discipline of training and respect. These attitudes have stayed with me throughout my life, shaping the man I am today. Now, decades later and thousands of miles away in Uganda, I see the legacy of Hunslet Club living on in the hundreds of children supported through Gulu Boxing Club. Not just in the Hunslet uniform they so proudly wear, sent over by Dennis each year, but in their attitude and commitment to work hard and be the best that they can be.’
Little did Craig know as a young member that he would be carrying the legacy of The Hunslet Club, it’s ethos and values over to Uganda and instilling them in future generations on another continent. The Hunslet Club changed his life, shaped it and now Craig is continuing The Club’s mission of nurturing and inspiring young people across the globe and using sport to do so. The Hunslet Club are proud to still have a close relationship with Craig and send boxing equipment and clothing over to show support.
Although The Hunslet Club has grown in size and the number of members has significantly increased since the 1980’s, the set up is largely the same. There is something nostalgic about The Hunslet Club, an old school sense of community and togetherness, a place where all young people are welcome and belong. With 114 evening activity sessions on offer at affordable rates (the most expensive session is £2) and with no sign up fee’s or subscriptions, sports and recreational activities are accessible to ALL. The Hunslet Club FREE youth club is open 5 nights a week ensuring all young people have a safe space to go outside of school hours and to ensure all young people have access to hot food on an evening.
When asked what advice Craig would give to current young members he said:
‘You may think Hunslet Club is just about helping local kids, but the truth is, through the club’s kindness, generosity and support it’s changing lives across the world. My advice would be: show up, listen, be respectful and give it everything you’ve got. What you learn at The Hunslet Club will stay with you forever, and one day, it might just be the thing that empowers you to make a difference in someone else’s life.’
The Hunslet Club has had a profound impact on countless lives, but the story of Craig’s journey truly highlights the immeasurable ripple effect of good that continues to spread long after young people leave. Through his work, he’s not only helping transform the lives of young people in Uganda but also passing on the values of mentorship, community, and self-empowerment that The Hunslet Club instilled in him. His journey is a testament to how a single positive experience can spark lasting change, touching communities around the world.
The Hunslet Club is much more than a place for young people to pass the time—it’s a place where they grow, learn, and become the best versions of themselves. Through its diverse range of activities, mentorship, and unwavering support, the club has become a vital resource for young people in South Leeds and beyond, helping to shape the next generation of confident, capable, and community-minded individuals and the ripple effect this has on future generations is infinite. Thank you Craig for sharing your story. It is inspiring.
For more information on how The Hunslet Club continues to make a difference or to get involved, follow us on social media, visit our website or stop by to see the club in action!
