Ashfield District Council, in partnership with Resurrection Mixed Martial Arts Academy, is inviting women and girls to get fit and build confidence at their new Empower Hour fitness sessions.

Offering a mixture of martial arts skills and confidence-building techniques, the free sessions aim to increase confidence, improve health & fitness, and learn techniques to help protect yourself.

Open to women and girls across Ashfield, the sessions are held three times a week at the Resurrection Mixed Martial Arts Academy on St Michael’s Street, Sutton.

Coun Helen-Ann Smith, cabinet member for community safety, said: “These free sessions are being delivered as part of the Safer Streets initiative for Sutton. Our aim is to help women and girls feel safe whilst they are out and about in their communities. This is just the latest initiative we are taking to ensure women and girls feel safer.  Others include new CCTV cameras and the launch of app which is currently being trialled. We are committed to making Ashfield a safe place to live and work for women and girls.

“The combination of getting fitter and learning techniques to help protect yourself can have a really positive impact on confidence. We want our residents to feel safe whether they are out in groups or walking alone.

“I encourage all women and girls to get involved, there are three sessions each week on various days and times to make them as inclusive as possible. I for one can’t wait to attend and learn some new techniques.”

Sessions start on Tuesday, 8^th February and will be held on Tuesdays, 11am-12noon; Fridays, 5pm-6pm; Saturdays, 9am-10am.

To book, call 07813 775126 or via @resurrectionmmaa on Facebook & Instagram