Who We Are

Our History

Hi, I'm Claire and I'm Worth Defending!

I started self-defence training after 10 years of living in hiding.

Learning boundary-setting and self-defence skills has strengthened the foundations on which I build all my relationships.

I started Worth Defending to pay forward the kindness of the women who reached their hands into my darkness and led me back into the light so I could be free... No one should have to live in fear!

Our Vision

A safer, more compassionate society where human rights are actively upheld, and individuals and communities are empowered to prevent violence, resolve conflict, and protect one another.

Our Mission

To empower communities through our accessible reality-based boundary-setting and self-defence classes. Connecting communities, boosting fitness, building confidence, promoting safety and enabling active by-stander intervention.

Our Ethos

Trauma-informed

Our instructors have completed Level 1 500 Rising women's self-defence qualification to ensure their practice is trauma-informed.

Accessible

Community-led

You are Worth Defending

Claire Blatchford

“For me this is personal. After a decade living in fear, boundary setting and self-defence training has enabled me to break free.

Worth Defending is my commitment to paying forward the kindness of the women who held the ladder for me and most importantly it is the hand that reaches back to those whose lives are still in shadow”

Lindsay Allen

“I believe everyone can benefit from this project. I'd like to see Worth Defending in every park and at every festival!

As a parent of teenagers I think this kind of education is being sorely missed for many young people"

Linn Haraldsvik

“My motivation is to give regular people effective self-defence skills, and to help them improve their quality of life in the process.

I love teaching self-defence - it's a joy.

The classes are a lot of fun, and students progress so quickly. It's great to see how people can expand their comfort zones, become more confident, and how their skills develop to deal with more challenging situations. For some people it's really life changing. I know it was for me"

Joana Avi-Lorie

“As a survivor this space has been a pillar of my recovery and being accommodated to train throughout pregnancy and postpartum was essential for my maternal health.

The support of the women’s community is incredible and I want amplify it for others to enjoy the art, skill and camaraderie.

I believe there are many ways that this training and practice can benefit women and girls.”

Karen Cluckie

"I have trained in self-defence for 4 years and recently completed the 500 Rising Instructional Foundations in Women's Self -Defence - Level One.

Self-defence is an innate skill, I have gained so much confidence from honing these skills with my wonderful instructors, alongside finding my community with these incredible women. I want to pay it forward to anyone who needs encouragement to know that they are Worth Defending. "

Maisarah Maidin

I believe in the role of the voice to uplift and build confidence in people.

Many women were told to be quieter as girls and sometimes it takes work to gain confidence in using our voice to stand up for or defend ourselves.

Self-Defence training helped us to use our voices in defence. Similarly, my song leading empowers people to use their voice and gain confidence.. "