Salisbury MMA Gym Offers Free Children’s Self-Defence Sessions as Community Comes Together

A Salisbury martial arts gym is offering free children’s self-defence sessions after local families raised concerns and asked for practical ways to help young people feel more confident and prepared.

Impact MMA said it had received a number of messages from people who had been feeling worried and anxious about recent events in Salisbury.

Among those who contacted the gym was Laura Clark, who suggested that a children's self-defence session could provide something practical for families.

The idea prompted Impact MMA to consider what it could do to support the local community rather than simply adding to people's concerns.

Sherwin, from Impact MMA, said the decision was also influenced by the support the gym received from local people and businesses several months ago, when it came close to closing down.

According to Sherwin, the local community stepped in at a difficult time and helped the gym continue operating.

That support has not been forgotten, and the free sessions are now being seen as an opportunity for Impact MMA to give something back.

Sherwin said cost should not be the reason a family misses out on learning skills that could help children feel more confident, aware and better prepared.

The sessions are also intended to be about more than self-defence. Impact MMA hopes they can help strengthen relationships within the wider community, with parents, coaches, businesses and local residents looking out for one another.

Sherwin said he does not want the response to recent events to simply be telling children to stay indoors or be afraid. Instead, the gym wants to provide young people with useful skills while helping families feel more connected to their community.

The response has already been much greater than expected, with both of the initial sessions now fully booked.

The Wednesday session, running from 5pm to 6.30pm, is fully booked, as is the Saturday session from 2pm to 4pm. Impact MMA is now planning to add further sessions through to the end of the year to give more local children the opportunity to take part.

Families interested in future sessions can follow Impact MMA on Instagram at @impact.mma or contact Sherwin directly for updates on new dates and availability.

For Impact MMA, the initiative is a way of turning community concern into something constructive while returning some of the support it received when the gym itself needed help.

Sherwin said the aim is ultimately to build a stronger community where people know their neighbours and families, coaches, businesses and other local people look out for one another.

Website: Impact MMA