Each year, the University’s Teaching Best Practice Awards offer staff the opportunity to enhance learning through a £400 activity fund. In 2025, we were delighted that Helen Nowell, University Teacher in Graphic Design, was recognised for her impactful anti‑knife campaign project, Authentic Experience Initiative for Social & Community Benefit.
Building on the spirit of that work, Helen chose to use part of her award to support a new initiative within SDCA: self‑defence classes for women and non‑binary students and staff. This decision reflects our School’s ongoing commitment to creating a supportive, empowered, and connected environment for everyone who studies and works here.
We invited members of our School to take part in a four‑week self‑defence course led by Richard Booth, an experienced Taekwondo and Self‑Defence Instructor. To ensure accessibility, we offered two sessions each week - one on Mondays and one on Fridays. Participants were introduced to a range of practical techniques, including:
- Escaping wrist grabs
- Breaking free from headlocks
- Take‑downs and arm blocks
- Arm submissions
- Generating power safely and effectively
The aim was to equip our students and staff with essential skills and, importantly, the confidence to use them if ever needed. As one participant reflected, the classes were “very helpful and useful”.
One of the most rewarding outcomes of the initiative was the way it brought together students from across SDCA. Attendees included students from Product Design & Technology, Graphic Design, Fine Art, and Fashion Design & Technology, spanning all year groups.
Many participants told us how much they valued meeting new people, with one student sharing that they “really enjoyed being with all the other girls whilst learning core tactics.” These sessions helped strengthen the sense of community that is already so central to SDCA, giving first‑year students the chance to connect with second‑ and third‑year peers in a relaxed and supportive setting.
We were pleased to hear such positive feedback about the learning environment. Students described Richard as “incredibly kind and understanding and really wanting us to be safe,” and praised the facilities provided through the Martial Arts Centre.
This initiative would not have been possible without the support of colleagues across the University. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Occupational Development, for providing the Teaching Best Practice funding, Richard Booth, for delivering the sessions with expertise and care and Loughborough Sport, for providing access to the Martial Arts Centre.
At SDCA, we are proud to champion activities that enrich our community, support personal development, and strengthen the connections that make our School such a vibrant and supportive place to study and work.