New initiative aims to empower women and enhance personal safety across Wyre Forest community
A new initiative has been launched to help empower women and enhance personal safety across the Wyre Forest.
Starting on Wednesday, November 19, the Stourport Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Project will deliver five free self-defence and personal safety awareness sessions for women and girls aged 16 and over.
This initiative is part of the national VAWG strategy and supports the White Ribbon campaign, responding directly to community concerns about rising crime and anti-social behaviour, particularly in hotspot areas such as the Walshes estate.
Led by Kai Wilson, an internationally certified ITF Taekwon-Do instructor, the sessions will offer practical self-defence techniques, personal safety awareness training and confidence-building exercises and will take place at Areley Kings Village Hall and St Michael's Church Parish Room in Stourport.
Each session will accommodate 20 participants, with 100 women and girls expected to benefit from the programme, while registration is free, and places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sergeant Matthew Ling of the Stourport SNT, which is leading the project, said: “This initiative is a response to concerns raised by residents.
“By providing practical tools and confidence-building support, we aim to help women and girls feel safer and more empowered in their daily lives.
"It also reflects our commitment to proactive policing and strengthening trust within our community.”
Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia, John Campion, said: “I am committed to ensuring women and girls not only are safe but feel safe in their communities.
"No one should fear simply walking out their front door, yet for too many, that’s a daily reality caused predominantly by the actions of men.
“We must do more as a society to challenge and change this behaviour and bring perpetrators to justice.
“At the same time, initiatives like these self-defence sessions play a vital role in helping women and girls build confidence, increase awareness, and feel more secure in their everyday lives.”
Kai Wilson, principal instructor at Unite Taekwon-Do, said: “It’s an honour to be part of this initiative.
"These sessions are about more than just physical techniques, they’re about empowering women to feel confident, aware, and in control of their personal safety.”
A spokesman for Areley Kings Village Hall Committee said: “We’re proud to host sessions that support such an important cause.
"Our venue is at the heart of the community, and we’re pleased to be part of a project that promotes safety and wellbeing for local women.”
A spokesman for St Michael's Church Parish Team said: “Creating safe spaces for women is a shared responsibility.
"We’re delighted to support this initiative and welcome participants into our parish room for these vital sessions.”
