THE founder of Redditch Self-Defence (RSD) has spoken about having to adapt his training methods because of Covid-19.
Lockdown restrictions have forced Pete Martin to put the breaks on his boxing and self-defence classes.
And with schools closed, he’s also unable to deliver anti-knife crime and county lines presentations which have previously reached nearly 20,000 young people.
But new funding from Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire has allowed RDA to operate in a different way.
A new referral scheme, in partnership with local schools, West Mercia Police and children’s services, sees Pete giving one-to-one support to young people who are at risk of offending.
“The scheme is free one-to-one boxing and self-defence training for people in Redditch and Bromsgrove,” said Pete.
“These sessions target the young people who really need our support.
“It could be someone with anger problems, someone who carries a knife or a youngster struggling with their mental health in lockdown.”
The bespoke sessions also include counselling and knife-crime awareness courses for those who need it.
Pete has pledged to return to local schools and restart his self-defence classes at his Windsor Road gym when lockdown is lifted.
Safer Neighbourhood Team Inspector for Redditch and Bromsgrove, Lee Page, added: “The referral programme provides a crucial opportunity for police and partners to divert vulnerable young people away from the risk of criminal exploitation.
“Without these programmes we know young people can become vulnerable to being lured into various forms of criminality including, for example, violent crime and county lines.”
Visit http://redditchselfdefence.co.uk for more information.
