School of Hard Knocks is excited to be working with The Welsh Rugby Union to help individuals find a renewed sense of purpose and employment with our online, high-impact Back in the Game Course. Read more
School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) uses sport to tackle the tough issues surrounding unemployment, crime and health. We work with individuals to help them take responsibility and take positive steps to change their lives. Read more
A video of SOHK's founder, Ken Cowen, talking about what we deliver and how you could become a part of the SOHK family. Read more
SOHK delivers life-changing programmes across the UK. We change the lives of children and adults using rugby, boxing and strongman courses, supported by a curriculum of powerful life lessons. We work with unemployed adults to find and sustain employment; and with school children at risk of exclusion to help them reengage with education. Please help us to reach more people in need of our services by donating today. We spend at least 87% of every donation directly on frontline work.
Joe signed up to School of Hard Knocks’ Adult Course through a volunteering programme; he was both excited and anxious on his first day. Having become accustomed to a fairly isolated lifestyle, he found being in groups uncomfortable. Despite these initial concerns he felt welcome, valued and understood by the people around him. He found that he shared experiences with many other participants and could be himself without judgement. For the first time he felt like he was part of a team. Read more
Earlier this month School of Hard Knocks held its first ever online auction. We had some incredible lots on offer such as an hour with rugby legend Sam Warburton and our most popular auction item - a signed Finn Russell shirt. Thanks to your support we are thrilled to announce that SOHK's Summer Auction has raised a grand total of £20,000! These funds will go towards empowering individuals facing social inequality and ensuring that no child or adult is ever left behind. Read more
Jamie started on School of Hard Knocks’ Schools Programme just over a year ago. His behaviour had become unmanageable at school and he constantly found himself in trouble. Since starting the programme Jamie’s behaviour and way of thinking has changed dramatically. Jamie’s teachers not only find him much easier to handle, but have noticed that he contributes positively in lessons, asks insightful questions and has more respect for others. Read more