Streetwise Defence

🎓 Is your child really ready to stay safe at university?

As parents, we do everything we can to prepare our young adults for university - accommodation, money, cooking, studying and becoming independent. But there’s one thing that’s often overlooked: knowing how to stay safe when you’re no longer there to help.

Our FREE University & College Safety Quiz takes just a couple of minutes and can highlight areas where your son or daughter may benefit from greater awareness, confidence and practical safety knowledge.

👉 Take the FREE quiz here:
https://www.streetwisedefence.com/uni-safety-quiz

And if the quiz identifies areas they could improve, our Stay Safe at University & College online course gives young adults practical, real-world knowledge to help them recognise potential risks, make safer decisions, set boundaries, avoid dangerous situations and know what to do if something goes wrong.

Our "Stay Safe at University & College Online Course link" below. https://www.streetwisedefence.com/self-defence-university-students

Because giving them independence is important… but giving them the skills to handle that independence safely could be one of the most valuable things you do before they leave home. ❤️

Would you know what to do if a tradesman made you feel uncomfortable in your own home?

Over the years, we've spoken to women who have shared experiences ranging from inappropriate comments and intimidation to harassment and, in some cases, sexual assault.

Of course, the vast majority of tradesmen are honest, professional and trustworthy.

But if someone crosses a boundary, it's important to know that you have options.

That's why we've put together this free guide, packed with practical advice on staying safe before, during and after someone carries out work in your home.

Whether you're living alone, caring for an older relative or simply want to feel more confident, we hope you find it useful.

🏡 Read the blog here:https://www.streetwisedefence.com/blog/how-to-stay-safe-with-tradespeople-at-home

Please feel free to share it with anyone who may benefit.

Next month, thousands of young people will receive their exam results.

For many, it will be the start of an exciting new chapter at university or college.

Whilst they're busy thinking about accommodation, making friends and what to pack, many parents are thinking about something else...

Will they know how to keep themselves safe?

This feedback came from a parent whose teenager completed our online course, How to Stay Safe at University and College.

The course covers practical topics including personal safety, drink spiking, healthy relationships, consent, travelling safely, phone theft, boundaries, self-defence and much more, helping young people feel more confident as they prepare for independent life.

If someone you care about is heading off to university or college this autumn, it could be one of the most valuable things you do before they leave home.

🎓 Find out more: https://www.streetwisedefence.com/self-defence-university-students

Whenever I stay in a hotel, I do exactly the same thing before I unpack.

I check the locks.

I look for the fire escape.

I check under the bed.

I put the do not disturb sign on the door and ensure I have an alarmed door wedge with me.

Some people might think that's over the top.

I don't.

Especially when you have had a man walk into your room at 6am while you were asleep and on your own (yes this happened to me - Julie - many years ago).

Personal safety isn't about being fearful. It's about building simple habits that become second nature.

That's why I was pleased to contribute to this article on Yahoo about hotel safety, sharing some of the practical tips we teach at Streetwise Defence.

Whether you're travelling for work, heading off on holiday or staying overnight on your own, I hope you find it useful.

🔗 https://travel.yahoo.com/advice/safety/article/travel-security-tips-for-staying-safe-at-hotels-153420951.html

A big thank you to Dana Yewbank for including me in the article and helping share practical travel safety advice with a wider audience.

Was lovely to receive this today ☺️

We haven't recorded an episode for a while as things have been so busy but it is good to know people are still listening.

If you've got a long journey or want something different to listen to just search for 'Self Defence for Women' wherever you get your podcasts.

We have episodes on:
- What to do if followed
- Child safety
- Staying safe at festivals
- Handling fear
- Emotional self defence
- Uber safety
- Resilience during menopause
- Summer safety
- Travel safety gadgets
- And loads more!

Find them all on our website: https://www.streetwisedefence.com/personal-safety-podcast-women

And a big thank you if you have listened to an episode or shared it with someone.

Thank you to everyone I met and spoke with on Thursday Saint Ronan's School 🙏🏻👍🏻

On Thursday Dene was back at Saint Ronan's School for the third year running. It’s great to be invited back, to share knowledge and discuss such an important topic with students and staff.

Dene delivered personal safety and self defence workshops designed to help students prepare for their adult life, university, work, relationships and greater independence.

Also the reality of young adulthood and things we all need to be aware of, understand and how to navigate safely a world which can be very different to ours as adults.

We often talk about exam results, qualifications and career choices, but life skills matter too.

Knowing how to stay safe, trust your judgement, set boundaries and make good decisions can have a huge impact on a young person's confidence as they move into adulthood.

A big thank you to Amanda Startin, for her continued support and commitment to giving students these opportunities.

Thank you to the older students and staff who helped and supported on the day, it was great to chat with you.

If even one conversation from the day helps someone make a safer decision in the future, it was time well spent.

After a few days R&R at the beautiful Lake Como, we’re back ☺️

Dene is on the road delivering workshops today for the 3rd year running at St Ronan’s School.

And we’ll be getting up to date with all your enquiries so please bear with us over the next couple of days.

It’s not always easy taking a break when you run your own business so thank you as always for your support 🙏

As a parent, the thought of one of my children getting lost is one of my worst nightmares.

It's probably why I still remember getting separated from my family in Disney World when I was 10 years old. I can't remember all the details, but I do remember the blind panic of being alone and scared.

That's why I was pleased to be asked to contribute to this article about what children should do if they get lost - and how parents can prepare them to stay safer.

One of the key messages I share with my own daughters is surprisingly simple:

If you get lost, stand still.

Don't run around looking for me.

Don't go off with ANYONE - even people in uniform.

Stand still and I will find you.

It's a simple plan, but one that can help children stay calmer and makes it much easier for parents and children to find each other.

The article also covers:

✔ What to teach children before a day out

✔ What to do if an adult offers help

✔ How to create a simple family safety plan

✔ Age-appropriate conversations about strangers

If you're a parent, grandparent or carer, I hope you find it useful.

https://www.momswhothink.com/safety-tips-to-teach-your-child-in-case-they-get-lost/

A big thank you to Lianna Tedesco from Moms Who Think for including me in the article and helping share these important conversations with parents.

Another important conversation to have with your children.

Make sure they know that no adult should ever approach them to ask for anything.

They should never feel obliged to talk to any stranger and should get away as quickly as possible to somewhere safe.

Thankfully these children were able to do that.

Horrible that this is happening given the amount of CCTV around 😞

🚨 PARENTS IN DEVON ⚠️: Police are investigating a series of disturbing incidents in the North Devon area after multiple girls were followed and approached by men in a white van.

In one terrifying incident, a 12-year-old girl was told to "get in the van." Local mums are praising the quick thinking of their children, but are demanding urgent police action.

Police have stepped up patrols and are urgently hunting for the vehicle and the suspects.

One mum, who did not want to be identified, said her 12-year old daughter was leaving the swing park on Chaloners Road after playing with her friends, she crossed the road and was about to cross the driveway at the Agricultural Inn when a white van pulled in and blocked her way.

"A man shouted from the window for her to 'get in the van'," said the mum.

"My daughter was terrified, ran back across the road, jumped over the fence and accosted a passing dog walker for help who got her to phone us. Luckily we were two minutes away and sprinted to her. The van meanwhile turned around in the Aggi car park and returned towards the direction of the village.

"My daughter described the man as big and bald and wearing a black t-shirt. He was accompanied by a second man in the van. She didn’t get any better description, she was so shaken up."

Please speak to your children about 'stranger danger' today. 🔴