Female self-defence sessions being held at UCLan

Zee Jogi is the only female civilian self-defence instructor and the only British Muslim in the United Kingdom to achieve a Guinness world record on Kilimanjaro

A female-led charity based in Blackburn, whose ethos is to engage, educate and empower, is working alongside UCLan to deliver a six week course on self-defence, after receiving ‘fantastic’ feedback from taster sessions last year.

The impact collated during the course will form part of a wider university research project looking at how engaging in self-defence sessions affects women’s health and well-being.

The Z’s Defence Academy, encourage women of all ages by giving them the opportunity and confidence to experience a range of physical and educational activities.

They offer courses in self-defence, physical activity, outdoor pursuits, educational sessions and a newly formed youth project.

Zaynab Jogi, (known as Zee) runs Z’s Defence Academy. She said: “A large part of our charity is to engage the women in our local communities in Lancashire. We do this by collaborating with many organisations to deliver opportunities for up-skilling our members.

“The organisations we have worked with include the NHS, UCLAN University, Lancashire Police, Humraaz Support Services, BwD Carers Service, Youth Action and many others.

“UCLan’s student wellbeing department contacted our Academy back in March 2022 to deliver a self-defence course on the campus for students.

“There is a big push at the university for female students and staff to feel empowered and confident on and off campus.

The feedback from the sessions was 'fantastic'. Women felt empowered and learn safety techniques on how to protect themselves — The feedback from the sessions was ‘fantastic’. Women felt empowered and learned safety techniques on how to protect themselves

“The planning took over eight months and we have now successfully delivered two taster sessions at the university.

“There was a huge volume of interest and both staff and students who attended thoroughly enjoyed the session and gained confidence in their own strength and ability.”

The Director of Student Services, Vanessa Chew, said: “I was so empowered by this self-defence session. As professionals we often fall into the trap of prioritising other people’s mental health and safety and sometimes end up neglecting our own.

“Those who attended alongside me said it was so beneficial and we would love to deliver more self-defence courses for staff and students in the future.”

Zs Defence Academy aim to deliver a 6 week self-defence course — Z’s Defence Academy aim to deliver a 6 week self-defence course

Z’s Defence Academy received funding from the Healthy University Initiative budget as well as Comic Relief to deliver a full six week Self-Defence course to students.

The impact collated from this course is also informing a wider research project within the university to learn the impact that engaging in self-defence has on women’s health and wellbeing.

The charity aims to educate women and give them the confidence to feel safe within the community.

The instructor Zee is passionate in supporting women and has 17 years’ worth of mixed martial experience.

She is the only female civilian self-defence instructor and the only British Muslim in the United Kingdom to achieve a Guinness world record on Kilimanjaro. Despite having an injury during her Everest basecamp expedition in November 2022, she continues to serve the community.

The charity is looking for donations to support ongoing work and to deliver more projects within the community.

To find out more information visit the zsdefenceacademy website or contact via email: zsdefenceacademy@gmail.com or call on 07720636847.