Yoga and female-only martial arts offered to support girls and young women in Leighton Buzzard

The sessions have been organised by the Beds Police Education and Diversion Team as part of a scheme to provide free, inclusive activities for young and disadvantaged people in the town.

The team works alongside Leighton Buzzard’s Elite Training Centre, local sports clubs and Leighton-Linslade Town Council supporting young people affected by hardship, bullying and crime and providing inclusive sessions for those with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).

Thanks to additional funding, the scheme has now been expanded to offer yoga and female-only martial arts sessions, which have been welcomed and described as ‘brilliant work’ – with suggestions the sessions ‘should be taught in schools’.

A spokesperson for the Beds Police TogetherForBedfordshire group stated: “For more than two years, our Education and Diversion Team have been working alongside Elite Training Centre Leighton Buzzard, local sports clubs and Leighton-Linslade Town Council to provide free, inclusive diversionary activities for young and disadvantaged people in Leighton Buzzard.

“Thanks to successful funding bids, we’ve delivered free holiday sessions that now run up to up to five sessions a week, welcoming up to 20 young people at a time. Alongside schools, Tactic and other partners, we’ve supported young people affected by hardship, bullying and crime, provided inclusive sessions for those with SEND, created work experience opportunities, supported DofE participants - and even helped refugee children continue their wrestling practice while building friendships.

“We’re proud to expand this scheme - with new funding secured to deliver yoga and female‑only martial arts sessions with Tactic supporting girls and young women in our community.

“Working together with our partners, we are committed to diverting young people away from criminality and providing meaningful engagement and education opportunities.”

The sessions have been led by PC Dan Sullivan from the Force’s Education and Diversion Team who, alongside Heather Couper from Elite Training Centre, recently worked with Year 12 and 13 female students at Yandyke School in Leighton Buzzard who had experiences related to MVAWG (Male Violence Against Women and Girls).

The students took part in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu–based self‑defence training delivered by Dan and Heather leaving students feeling more confident and empowered.

Dan later revisited school to deliver a Bystander Awareness as part of the ongoing programme.

The initiative was funded for a second year by Leighton‑Linslade Town Council to support local schools, as well as providing free holiday sessions for teenage residents at the town’s Elite Training Centre.

The Police Education and Diversion Team in Bedfordshire is dedicated to enhancing the safety and wellbeing of children and young people through education and diversion services.