FORMER drug and alcohol addicts have found refuge in boxing classes which pummel positivity into their mindset.

Social enterprise Aspire has brought “boxercise” classes to Oxford, offering recovering addicts a punchbag workout.

Jamie Hamilton, 38, runs the free sessions for clients, who are referred from addiction service Turning Point.

The Headington resident said: “We first introduced them in Banbury, which really worked. There was a massive rise in confidence, well-being and self-esteem. It puts boundaries back in place and helps get people into employment. It’s amazing.

“A lot of people that I work with are low in confidence. A lot of frustration could be emotional issues.

“This gives them something to channel that energy into. I’ve been through some of the things they have been through as well.”

The boxing amateurs get to pull on their gloves as part of Turning Point’s Roads to Recovery scheme.

After class, Mr Hamilton rewards service users with a free smoothie at the Refresh cafe in Cowley Road, which is also run by Turning Point.

He added: “A lot of them aren’t getting the right nutrition – with healthy eating they get a healthy mind. We also get someone to come in to do nutrition classes.”

Boxercise runs every Wednesday at Turning Point’s hub in Rectory Road, plus twice-weekly sessions in Banbury.

Dave Earle, whose mum died after battling with alcoholism, coaches the sessions.

The 52-year-old Banbury resident stressed they were doing more than just throwing punches.

He said: “Struggles with alcohol were rife on one side of my family. I see people wasting their lives and help them turn a corner. It’s something more than boxing, people just need something to focus on.

“Once you start a fitness regime you end up swapping one habit for another. Boxing will help if you’ve got stresses.

“Confidence is the biggest thing to get them away from destructive habits. Everybody is in the same boat and after class they go to the cafe.”

He was so impressed with their soaring confidence that he has employed three people from the classes to work at his Banbury boxing gym Spit’n’Sawdust.

He said: “My family struggled with jobs over the years. Turning Point is a place they get their minds turned round. I didn’t really get to know my mum because of her alcohol problem and I hear the same all the time from the service users.”

Aspire is an Oxford-based social enterprise which is partnered with national organisation Turning Point, which runs substance misuse services in Oxfordshire.

Mr Earle, who carried the Olympic torch in 2014, hoped to roll out boxercise across the county.

For information about free addiction services in the county visit oxfordshire.gov.uk.