Delivered by Bender Defenders
In 2024, the Foundation for Future London awarded a grant to Bender Defender for its project “Bender Defenders ” through our Small Grant Scheme.
This project provides weekly beginners’ martial arts classes in East London and for LGBT+ people, increasing attendees’ confidence, emotional resilience and connections with others in the community.
The Small Grant Scheme is part of our Westfield East Bank Creative Futures Fund, funded by Westfield Stratford City.
This project provides weekly beginners’ martial arts classes in East London and for LGBT+ people, increasing attendees’ confidence, emotional resilience and connections with others in the community.
This project will support a new cohort of LGBT+ people across East London to discover the transformative power of martial art. Our class provides a safe and welcoming space to exercise in, where income, identity and confidence level are not a barrier.
Martial arts helps people release emotional burdens through a process of control, catharsis and release. Through this, participants will become better equipped to process difficult emotions and lead healthy, happy lives.
Email: the.bender.defenders@gmail.com