Community

Our work within the
local community

Nam Yang Brghton Community Association is an, inclusive, not for profit, community martial arts and combat sports club based in Brighton and Hove. We have an explicit social aim of fostering positive attitudes towards diversity by providing safe spaces for people of all ages and backgrounds to maximise their mental and physical health.

We have over 250 members, half of which are children and young people (our oldest member is 67 and our youngest is 4). The club’s membership represents able bodied people, people with physical and mental disabilities and at least 17 different ethnic backgrounds, including several refugees and asylum seekers.

Our work with low
income household

Many of our members are on low incomes and many have caring responsibilities; both things we specifically provide for. This includes a sliding fees scale, with people in particular financial difficulty training for free when necessary and reduced rates for people that work in the NHS and emergency services. We never turn anyone away based on finance. This makes us one of the most affordable and inclusive sports clubs in Brighton.

We also offer classes where you can bring your children along whilst you train. These classes are so important for parents with childcare responsibilities who otherwise would not be able to train.

Nam Yang Brighton is also a queer friendly environment and space, for female identifying students and non-binary people, to train in combat sports and fitness programs without any prejudice in a safe and welcoming environment.

Nam Yang is a space for everyone no matter who or what you are.

Our work with people with physical & mental disabilities

The majority of our members with disabilities train alongside the rest of our members. Whilst our aim is full integration and inclusiveness, we also do focused individual and group work to develop people’s confidence to participate in classes alongside other members. Our work also includes providing training to people with disabilities to help them participate in other sports and activities. For example, we help some of the disabled members of the Brighton Table Tennis Club with their fitness programs and training.

We also have the UK’s first disabled Savate kickboxer. Jay Hearn, who won a silver medal at the GBSF National Championships, and has now competed in numerous Savate bouts including two National Championships. We hope to see Jay and many other people with disabilities competing in the future.