Taking Shape Association is a charitable organisation offering a rich and vast range of affordable fitness and holistic services intrinsically linked to community engagement, restorative justice and promoting good health for people of all ages. In collaboration with other charities and local communities, we have been working with young people and vulnerable adults for over seven years. We offer a vast range of affordable fitness and holistic services, which combine the values and disciplines of Martial Arts (Kung-Fu, Karate, boxing, Muay Thai, other self-defense methods) with elements of non-physical disciplines like body coordination, balance, conditioning, fitness, mental focus, confidence, mentoring, reflection, coaching, and meditation to enhance mental wellbeing and to empower participants to build resilience and confidence to make positive life choices and achieve personal goals. Our main focus is children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who are at risk of violence and criminal exploitation but we also work with vulnerable adults. Taking Shape was formed from Dark Shadow Kung Fu in 2013 to meet the needs of the community using promotion of good health, the relief of sickness through gentle exercise, well-being exercises and alternative therapies. We typically work with cohorts of young people over 8-12 week programmes.
