For many financial firms, community work means a charity golf day, a sponsored lunch, or a one-off donation. Here at Greenwood Capital, we see things differently. Real change happens when support is consistent, practical, and built into the way we operate.

That’s why we’ve partnered with Rise Community Jiu Jitsu, a non-profit helping young people and adults find purpose through martial arts, mentorship, and employability skills. 

Together, we’re turning sport into structure, and opening doors into industries, like finance, that often feel closed off.

Who are Rise Community Jiu Jitsu?

Rise Community Jiu Jitsu (Rise) began with a simple idea: give young people a place to train, build discipline, and feel part of something bigger. Since starting out in Hackney and Bristol, more than 400 young people have already taken part. Some come for the sport, others for the structure, and many for the sense of belonging it creates.

The focus is on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), a grappling martial art similar to judo or wrestling. It’s the fastest-growing martial art in the UK, but it can often feel expensive or intimidating for young people. Rise aims to change that by offering inclusive programmes that make BJJ accessible, using it as a way to improve physical health, mental health, and employability.

Rise has grown into more than a training space. The team runs sessions in schools, offers community outreach, and provides mentoring that helps people gain confidence and take steps forward in their lives. For now, the priority is strengthening programmes in London and Bristol, reaching more young people where the need is greatest.

What Greenwood Capital is bringing to the partnership

With our initial investment, Rise will be able to work with 500 more disadvantaged young people in the next year. Based on past results, over 90% will see improvements in their physical and mental health through Jiu Jitsu. 

The funding will also help expand programmes in London and Bristol, appoint new coaches and a part-time programme coordinator, and create opportunities for young people to step into paid work experience with Rise itself.

Alongside that, Greenwood is opening up routes into finance. We’re providing CV and interview workshops, work experience in our offices, mentorship, and paid placements where we can. These are practical steps that make industries like ours feel accessible, not closed off.

“Over 90% of the young people who take part in our programmes show improvements in their physical and mental health. Greenwood’s support means we can scale that impact, bring in new coaches, and give young people opportunities both on and off the mats.”

Tom Hague, Founder of Rise

What’s next – and how clients can get involved

Rise has grown quickly in Hackney and Bristol, and the next step is expansion over time. For now, Greenwood’s focus is on helping to strengthen what’s already in place and build capacity for growth.

We’ve built a simple way for our clients to get involved. If you arrange finance through Greenwood, you can choose to contribute a percentage of your loan arrangement fee towards supporting Rise. We’ll then work with the lender to match it from our side.

We’re proud of this because it’s a chance for our clients and partners to stand alongside us and support a social enterprise that’s already changing lives. If you’d like to be part of that, we’d love to hear from you.

Building real community impact

Partnerships like this work when they’re built on action. For us, that means making finance more accessible and backing organisations that are opening doors in their own way. Rise is doing that through sport, mentorship, and skills. Our role is to help carry that momentum into education, work, and beyond.

We’re proud to support Rise and excited to see the impact grow as the partnership expands. Every loan we write has the potential to open up new opportunities for young people, and that’s the kind of finance we want to stand for.

“Finance can often feel closed if you don’t already have a way in. By supporting Rise’s young participants with things like CV workshops, work experience, and placements, we’re helping to break down those barriers and show young people that industries like ours are open to them.”

James Arbon, Greenwood Capital