Healing through martial arts at Leicester club

Starting in January 2025, Leicester's ladies-only club Taekwondo4All is offering a year's worth of free classes to one woman, also covering expenses such as uniform and belt, insurance and gradings.

Tamsin Davis IV Dan, Instructor, Taekwondo4All said:

"Having taught women martial arts for over 5 years now, I have seen first hand the increase in confidence and self-esteem that students gain from learning how to defend themselves. With a female-only taekwondo club, we are perfectly placed to support the Pink Belt Project and help more women with their recovery from abuse and assault."

2025 will be the second year Taekwondo4All has offered the Pink Belt Scholarship.

This follows on from the success of this year's candidate, who recently passed her yellow belt in taekwondo. As this year's Pink Belt graduate, Rebecca* explains,

"Taekwondo has changed my life so much for the better. Since doing the Pink Belt Project it has helped me build lots of confidence. Even though I was scared to start, I knew I wanted to learn more and as classes have gone on, I love seeing how my progress has improved as well as making friends. With the amazing support from Tamsin, I have
learnt to trust and let people touch me in a safe way. I now walk to class and walk home again at night which is a big achievement for me. I can't believe how much my life has changed since joining Taekwondo4All and learning an art that makes me feel safe. It's helping me see the world in a better way and making me stronger within myself."

*name changed for privacy

The Pink Belt Project story
Pink Belt Project was started in 2018 by West Australian Black Belt mum Kristy Hitchens who discovered for herself when she started taekwondo at age 40 how the style of training provided a unique combination of health and well-being benefits that went far beyond the expected lessons in self-defence.

In addition, Mrs Hitchens saw how the training helped a friend impacted by domestic violence so went on to research the phenomenon and develop a model that could encourage more women to participate by removing the financial barrier.

In its five-year history, well over 100 scholarships have been offered across Australia and beyond. Pink Belt Scholarship graduates have so far reported outcomes such as recovery from depression, increased feelings of confidence and personal safety and a reduced sense of isolation.

SCHOLARSHIP
To apply for a scholarship, please send a message via the following options:

• Facebook: message the Taekwondo4All facebook page Taekwondo4AllLeicester
• Email: Instructor Tamsin at taekwondo4all@hotmail.com
• Website: visit Taekwondo4All
  

THE PINK BELT PROJECT

To find out more about Pink Belt Project or make a donation visit www.pinkbelt.com.au

Source: Information and image supplied with permission from Taekwondo4All.