A nation where young lives are built on steel, not destroyed by it.
Steel Warriors was founded in 2017 by Ben Wintour and Pia Fontes, moved by the staggering amount of knife steel collected by the police every month. They asked a simple question: what if a symbol of violence could become a symbol of strength?
The answer was material and symbolic. We melt down knives collected and surrendered from the streets and recycle the steel into free-to-use outdoor calisthenics gyms. The bars young people train on were once the blades taken off their streets.
What started with a single gym in Tower Hamlets is now six gyms, a weekly programme of free community classes, youth intervention work in schools, and a movement: a street workout family with strength at its centre.
Collaboration and united communities drive lasting change.
Kindness and respect toward all people, always.
Ambitious goals. Challenge every limit.
Excel at one thing before moving to the next.
Adaptable, and receptive to new perspectives.
The first gym. Knives off the street, steel into the ground.
South and North London join the movement.
A gym inside the prison walls. Strength as rehabilitation.
Newham gets its own steel.
Our newest gym, and we're just getting started. The mission: a UK-wide network.
The funders, companies and organisations working with us today to keep our gyms and classes free.
Want to back free training for young people in your area?
Partner with usThe trustees, staff and coaches behind the steel.
Our trustees oversee the charity and make sure it stays true to its purpose.
Anna-Mai is a charity leader with over 20 years' experience improving the lives of children and young people. As CEO of Chance for Childhood for 13 years, she led work supporting young people facing poverty and exclusion across Africa, championing children's rights and giving young people a greater voice in shaping their futures.
Sarah is a strategic safeguarding and partnerships leader with over 20 years of experience leading services that improve outcomes for children, young people and vulnerable communities.
Lewis is a communications and project management professional with four years' experience delivering complex engagements with a broad range of stakeholders. He is a skilled storyteller with an entrepreneurial mindset and a track record of turning ideas into results.
The qualified coaches who lead our classes and programmes.
