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24th March 2026
Graham
In Uncategorised

Ringside! Boxing for mental health

What an awesome session with some amazing adults this week in the boxing gym here supporting mental health and wellbeing.

Thanks to Creative Minds and EyUp NHS Charity funding, we’ve been working with adults from Calderdale Insight EIP and C & K Recovery & Wellbeing College to improve and maintain their emotional health and wellbeing.

As we know, physical activity is a great way to help us all feel physically and emotionally well and our latest group are proof of that.

We’ve also had new groups on our NICAS – National Indoor Climbing Award Schemes – level one climbing course, lowland walking. And now boxing!

🥊 Thanks to our friends at Brighouse Boxing Club.

3rd February 2026
Graham
In Uncategorised

Calling all teachers! Schools trips at ROKT Foundation.

Calling all teachers and school in West Yorkshire!
Bring the kids to ROKT Foundation in Brighouse for an unforgettable and affordable experience where every child can get involved.
Rope climbing | Bouldering (no rope climbing) Abseiling | Indoor fun caving | Kids’ escape rooms
Low pressure, highly inclusive, tonnes of fun. National curriculum, rewards days, end of term fun, GCSE and A-level sport – we tick all the boxes.
Free coach and car parking, next to train station and five minutes from bus station. All instructors DBS checked
Drop us a message now with your contact details and we’ll be in touch for a friendly chat! Or email info@roktfoundation.co.uk
5th September 2025
Graham
In Uncategorised

NICAS x ROKT Foundation – stronger together

So good to have NICAS – National Indoor Climbing Award Schemes – and Access Sport visit recently.

Here’s our chat with Tom Vaessen-Walker from NICAS about how vital partnership like ROKT and NICAS are in changing lives through climbing.

Looking forward to teaming up with NICAS Wild Climbers and also their Ascend programme in partnership with Access Sport in the future.

 

20th June 2025
In Uncategorised

Climbing teaches money matters at Brighouse-based charity

Kids in Calderdale have been learning how to handle money – and heights – thanks to a creative new project at ROKT Foundation.

The cost of living, how to handle money and hidden everyday bills are just part of the topics covered in the course, which includes table-top exercises alongside money-based climbing activities – and even an antiques shop treasure hunt around an escape room.

The course has been made possible thanks to funding from Community Foundation for Calderdale and it is hoped it can be rolled out to more schools from different towns and cities if extra funding can be secured.

Katie Kinsella, CEO  of ROKT Foundation, said: “We always try to add our urban adventure twist on everything we do here. By bringing these topics to life through escape room treasure hunts, bouldering climbing and interactive table-top sessions it means they really soak up the information. The reaction has been really impressive, especially with how quickly they learn.

Michelle Hogan is from Own Futures and runs the table-top financial session.

She added: “The ultimate aim is to teach kids the value of money across the spectrum – from what you need to what you want, and everything in between.

“Understanding loans, interest rates and credit cards helps them explore those hidden costs and hopefully avoid them as they grow older. It’s been so successful that some parents have said their children have been giving them financial advice at home.”

Each session lasts for half a day and covers:

  • profit and loss tasks on the roped climbing walls and bouldering walls
  • exploring the antique shop Project Breakout escape room to learn about profit
  • hour-long session with Michelle Hogan from Own Futures
  • understanding how to manage finances, difference between credit cards and debit cards and how to budget
  • examining the cost of corner shopping compared to supermarket shopping
  • the difference between want and need
  • the real cost of items on credit

Since 2021 post-Covid, ROKT Foundation has supported thousands of children, young people and adults with everything from mental health issues to learning disabilities to life skills.

26th March 2025
Graham
In Uncategorised

Swap Smokes for Ropes

Swap Smokes For Ropes!

We launched a joint campaign to say let climbing help you quit smoking, get healthy and find a new rush.

NHS Yorkshire Smokefree Calderdale joined forces with ROKT Foundation, Creative Minds and Brighouse Mind & Body to craft a course like no other – where climbing, mindfulness and NHS support will help you quit.

And find a new (healthier addiction). Don’t worry, climbing is for everyone, any ability and any level.

Go as high as you can – and we’ll give you the confidence to reach heights you never thought possible. For more information email info@roktfoundation.co.uk

15th January 2025
Graham
In Uncategorised

Girls’ Empowerment

Thanks to funding from The Mayor of West Yorkshire, we have created another ground-breaking new programme, this time around girls’ empowerment.

Combining climbing, boxing and police intervention, we are making a difference to the lives of girls and women – building self-esteem, discipline and confidence.

Thanks to Brighouse Boxing Club, Ryburn Valley High School and funding from the Mayor of West Yorkshire.

4th September 2024
Graham
In Uncategorised

Drums, Beats and Blocs

Zulu drumming, caving and music were on the menu for kids at our latest ROKT Foundation Healthy Holidays programme this summer 2024.

Healthy eating, rope climbing, bouldering, abseiling and escape rooms were of course all packed in too (plus some karate!).

Here’s a taste of the climbing, drumming and caving which our fab kids experienced.

4th September 2024
Graham
In Uncategorised

Safety Nets X ROKT Foundation

Here’s a longer look at the amazing Safety Nets project at ROKT Foundation, run by Creative Minds.

It blends social, physical and mental health workshops with climbing and urban activity to engage, inspire and empower young people – improving lives along the way.

Thanks to funding from BBC Children In Need, this innovative project is making a difference.