Sev Necati worked in partnership with Sanctuary and HMP!

Sev Necati worked in partnership with Sanctuary & Hackney Marsh Partnership (HMP) to deliver our award winning project “Women & Young People’s Safety Solution.” 

Our course was delivered to local women and girls to assist them in feeling safer on the street and when they are out and about in their local area.  Most of the women and girls had not engaged in any form of self-defence or personal safety training and this course empowered and inspired those individuals to take responsibility for their own safety.

The course worked with a diverse range of women and girls, who came from various backgrounds, ages, and abilities and had multiple complex needs.  All our programmes are inclusive and provide a safe female environment, to share, to feel less isolated, vulnerable and to gain valuable skills, as well as get fitter and stronger.  Overall health and well-being and confidence levels are increased as consequence of joining our inspiring projects.

The Participant - Case Study - One

Karen, 49 years old, White British, single has two children.

Please tell us why you became involved in the project/activities?

I became involved in the course because I wanted to take more responsibility for my own safety.  I had been looking into getting into self-defence for my sons and thought why not take care of myself as well.  Its feels empowering to do something for yourself, that’s what it felt like.

You see violence around you and you want to have more confidence to go out and protect yourselves as females, as we are so much more vulnerable.

Please tell us how participating helped you?

It has helped me in so many ways, the course was absolutely fantastic, and it’s everything that you said, practising what you taught us makes perfect.

If you are non-violent person, like myself, I can’t remember the last time I raised my voice; it’s hard to know what to do.  Because of you, I have learnt how to use my voice and make the person around me to think twice about coming towards me in an aggressive way, giving me the confidence to be able to hit back if someone attacked me, as well as getting away.

I must say Sev you are a real inspiration!

How you delivered the course and told us things like if someone attack you or someone bothers you on the bus then you don’t have to put up with it.  That has given me the real confidence to do it for myself.

Please tell us what has changed for you as a result of engaging with the project?

What has changed for me is that I think I feel more confident out and around my neighbourhood and do know what I am doing now.  I feel like I can go out more and become more social, as if something did arise I could deal with it.  I started practising my running again and building up my fitness.  Another difference is now I am interested in boxing and strength training, I am nearing 50 and want to take up this training and improve my overall fitness and improve my health as I know the benefits of taking part in sport.  I also feel more confident in dealing with situations if they were to arise.  I feel less intimidated by others and feel I will be able to assist others as well and not feel this panic inside me, like I did before.

Thank you for delivering such a great course!

Some of the Females Comments

"This course was great."

"I liked the trainer Sev because she was powerful & strong; it made me feel less shy."

"I liked the course being all women because it made me feel safer & more confident."

"I wish it was in every community centre & school, as everyone can benefit from Sev's training. It's priceless!"

"Absolutely brilliant & want more."

"Sev is a great character & trainer."

"Sev always made time to listen & accommodate our personal & learning needs."

"Excellent course!"

"I am very pleased to have taken part on this course."

"Sev was approachable & allowed a safe space for questions."

"Course was excellent. I have learnt lots of tips & techniques for self-defence."

"I have more confidence walking around on the street."

"Sev's personality & approach to training & teaching from real life experiences was insightful."

"This course was very informative & applicable."

"I feel very lucky to have taken part in the training."

"My confidence has increased & it has given me peace of mind to be myself."

"Sev being very good at what she does, she has "street" knowledge."

"I really enjoyed the course & liked how we learnt practical aspects of self-defence."

"The classes were a good pace & well run."

"I would definitely recommend it to women I know."

"I feel much more empowered as a girl since doing this course."

"Really informative & helped me gain confidence."

"I found the course really informative; Sev answered all the questions really well."

"I really enjoyed this course because it felt like a weekly increase of empowerment."

"I now feel much safer walking home late at night."

"Loved it!"

"The course encouraged female empowerment & solidarity."

"Sev is a really good & clear teacher, with a lot of experiences."

“I feel much more emotionally & physically stronger now. Thank you!"

"I feel more confident in my surroundings, against bullies."

"This course has made me feel much more confident in myself! Thank you!"

"The trainer was experienced & had some very useful guidance."

"The course made me feel more empowered."

"Sev's hands on and direct teaching style broadened my perceptions about self-defence."

"Self-defence is important for all women including young women like me."

"Great teacher!"

"The practical exercises built up my confidence."

"The practise was very useful & empowering."

"I really enjoyed the course."

"Fantastic!"

The Participant - Case Study - Two

Marcia, 17 years old, British, single, no children.

Please tell us why you became involved in the project/activities?

I became involved in the course as I have always had issues with doggy men since I was aged 11 years of age, so my sister suggested that I join the course with her to put my families mind at ease.

When I was 11 I was going to school in my uniform and I was on my regular bus, sitting at the back.  There was a guy sitting opposite me and he started masturbating at me.  I couldn’t move and I was shaking and I didn’t know what to do, I was crying and only when he got off the bus I cried out loudly, for someone to help me.

It showed me how vulnerable girls were and I told my dad and he took me to the police station and they didn’t do anything about it and it made me angry as it felt like no-one cared.  The same thing happened again and I froze and I was still 11 years old and this time I was on the train.

Because of your teachings I now know what to do and how to react if a similar situation happened to me.

Please tell us how participating helped you?

It has helped me, feel and be more confident in my ability and I am more confident as a person overall now.

It has given me the ability to protect myself if anything was going to happen again.

I feel less like a target and victim and not passive anymore, as I know I have the ability to fight back if I needed too.  I know frightening back is a last resort but when I am at college and I walk pass the bullies I am no longer afraid.  It has given me emotionally as well as physical strength.

That’s why what you do is so important I didn’t realise how important self-defence was, until I met you.

Please tell us what has changed for you as a result of engaging with the project?

What has changed for me is I feel more confident overall.  I have the ability to know what I can do.  Learning my rights was crucial has it’s really important.  As you know your rights it’s more empowering, as you feel that the system is against you if you don’t know your rights once you do the tables turn in your favour, that’s what it feels like.

Thank you, what you do it’s important for all women and girls.

All names of participants have been changed to protect their identity.

If you are looking for sessions, courses, workshops, projects and programmes that are both engaging, interactive and fun, but also informative and educational then please contact us at:

info@sevnecatitraining.com

If you think that you would like to get involved in our projects then please get in contact.  Our aim is to reduce violence and the fear of violence especially towards females and young people and we do this by delivering empowering and inspiring projects to the local community.  Please contact us: info@sevnecatitraining.com

Sev Necati Training

Self-Defence drills to increase strength, stamina & speed!

Women training in self-defence drills!

Young girls training in self-defence drills!

Women & girls taking part in self-defence drills!

Sev Necati worked in partnership with Wembley Futures and Big Lottery

Sev Necati worked in partnership with Wembley Futures and Big Lottery, to deliver our award winning project “Women & Young People’s Safety Solution.” 

Our course specifically designed for women and girls in personal safety and self-defence was empowering and helped the group become more confident as well as improve their overall well-being. The course was all inclusion of local residents and we had young girls aged thirteen attending as well as women aged up to seventeen.  The course brought all members of the community together regardless of the age, ability or background, so they could feel inspired.

The course provided a holistic approach to the training and this meant they were able to take part in something realistic for the 21^st Century.

The course meant that women and girls felt less isolated and vulnerable, as well having an understanding of how not to become repeat victims or victims to crime in the first instance.

Participants said how they now feel safer in their local community and how they are encouraged to make daily sport and exercise part of their regime.

The group took part in self-defence activities each week, which meant that their stamina, strength, physical, mental health and overall fitness levels improved.

Our projects not only increase the confidence and self-worth of those that engage, more importantly they empower and inspire women and girls, to positively grow in their lives!

The Participant - Case Study - One

Jani, 22 years old, African Somali, single no children.

Please tell us why you became involved in the project/activities?

I became involved in the course because I was not confident in my ability to defend myself if anything happened to me when I am outside on the street.

A few years ago when I was in 6^th form I was being followed by some guy that was trying to get my number, he kept hassling me however I brushed him off and he just disappeared.  Then one night I was on the phone about 11pm at night and I went through a short alley way as I went through it he was there, he grabbed my arm and we got into a confrontation, shouting, I was very scared.  Once you come out of the alley way there is a car park which is normally quiet that time of night.  He was trying to get me to the car park by dragging my arm and I realised I wasn’t strong enough to get him off.  There was a lady in Argos and she was shutting up shop and she heard what was happening and she came over to help me.

Apart from understanding that I couldn’t defend myself against a grown man, it affected my day to day life, my social life it stood still, I just wanted to stay in all the time and not go out, it knocked my confidence and made me very paranoid.

Please tell us how participating has helped you?

The sessions have helped me learn techniques that I could use if I ever got into a similar situation again.  When you were teaching us how to get out of holds etc. I was comparing what I had learned with what happened and understood how I could get away and it has made me much more confident.

The techniques were very beneficial.  Also the victims support presentation has helped me and I am preaching about them to anyone I know.  Personally I thought you had to go to the police however you can go straight to them, which is very helpful to know.  I am telling everyone as they are not comfortable about reporting it, so this course has widened my knowledge.

Please tell us what has changed for you as a result of engaging with the project?

What has changed for me is my mind-set I feel more confident, comfortable at any point of that day and night my ability to defend myself and my paranoia and fear has completing gone.

I use to spend a lot of money on cabs and being on the phone to someone to feel safe but I don’t do that no-more I have lost my fears.

I am starting a job with Metropolitan Police helping them recruit and I am looking at jobs where I can help others which I found very inspiring after completing your course.

Some of the Females Comments

“I liked learning the different techniques and types of situations to defend myself.”

“I love Sev’s personality, knowledge and everything she taught.”

“I loved this course.”

“This training boosted my self-confidence and made me understand the power I have to protect myself.”

“The techniques used, explanations given were very useful.”

“Sev was very motivating and knew your individual limits and what everyone was capable of.”

“The whole group was very inter-active / positive and enthusiastic.”

“Building on my confidence as well as my fitness.”

“This course was worth it.  I have learnt a lot.”

“Learning all different techniques was very beneficial and has given me more power and confidence in myself.”

“Very useful, I have definitely gained a lot more confidence when approaching others, if need be.”

“It was very fun and good to learn ways I can be safe now in the environment.”

“I will recommend to friends who are interested in the course.”

“I learned very good techniques.  I learn which help according to my age.”

“The training gave me more confidence to walk in the night.  Thanks so much!”

“Sev ensured to answer any questions we had, and empowered us to be confident and believe in ourselves.”

“I think the training provided is very practical and useful in this day and age, where in some situations, we have to defend ourselves.”

“Every woman, should be offered this opportunity, and not rely on others to protect herself.”

“I would definitely recommend your course to anyone that has self-confident and self-esteem issues as it’s not just about self-defence.  It’s about personal development and it boosters your confidence when you are out and about.”

“My stamina has increased and I have now focused on exercising at home and I am also going to the gym.”

“It has been very empowering the whole course.  Thank you!”

The Participant - Case Study - Two

Beji, 48 years old, Indian, married with one child.

Please tell us why you became involved in the project/activities?

I became involved in the course because I have a little baby, a 2 year old and I do go out with him with the buggy and I thought in this day and age it’s better to be safer and be able to defend yourself when out and about.  I also thought it would be good to get fitter as I am currently on maternity leave and wasn’t getting much exercise.

25 years ago my whole family were kidnapped at gun point back home, fortunately we escaped and not physically harmed.  However if I go back to my home country it is better if I can take care of myself it is safer, as security is a big issue there.  I cannot go out in the day or night there, its 24 7 there.  At night I cannot take the car out on my own it’s too dangerous.  I wouldn’t feel safe.  In the day it’s difficult to walk around, only if you are driving might you be safe, it’s impossible in the night.  If I went out in the day I would have to have no valuables on me at all.  So safety is a main concern back home.

I am going back in a couple of month’s-time so I will require an escort.

Kidnapping is a huge problem there, burglary and life threats to rob are normally done with a weapon and it’s an everyday thing.  So I always felt I should have done this a long time ago.

In the 17 years I have lived here my brother who lives there has been robbed a couple of times at gun point, in Kenya, in his shop.  So was my mum when she use to run the shop.

During the elections back then we did a neighbourhood watch scheme with the local police to protect the local community, which kept us safe at that time and patrolled the area.  However women were not allowed to be on the street only in the control room and men were on the street, they were getting shot at.

Please tell us how participating has helped you?

The sessions have helped me boost my confidence, made me realise that I am not fit and that I have to get fitter.  It has given me an awareness that you have to be aware of your surroundings to stay safe, whether you in this country or aboard, it’s so important, in some aspects / scenarios your perspective changes, you don’t take things for granted.  I have a confidence boost and awareness that has really helped me.

Please tell us what has changed for you as a result of engaging with the project?

What has changed for me is that it has made me stronger physically and mentally because I know somehow what I can do and can’t do.  I have been talking to people about the 10 weeks I did with you and talking to people about what we learnt on the course like the awareness, confidence building, relationships and how they affect you.  It has given be a different insight and made me stronger.  Being small with my height was an inferior of mine and it’s not so bad now.  Self-awareness of myself I have developed in so many ways.

I become more aware of myself and what I am capable of.

It was a very useful and helpful and the whole group was excellent and you were brilliant.  I was pushed to my limits however that confidence pushed me through as an instructor and doing this for 10 weeks you also came a friend that we could talk to you openly about anything.  I really happy that I did join the group.  I would recommend the course and I hope to get this into my community.

All names of participants have been changed to protect their identity.

If you are looking for sessions, courses, workshops, projects and programmes that are both engaging, interactive and fun, but also informative and educational then please contact us at:

info@sevnecatitraining.com

If you think that you would like to get involved in our projects then please get in contact.  Our aim is to reduce violence and the fear of violence especially towards females and young people and we do this by delivering empowering and inspiring projects to the local community.  Please contact us: info@sevnecatitraining.com