Streetwise Defence Nominated for Yorkshire Choice Awards 2026
Streetwise Defence has been nominated for Independent Business of the Year at the Yorkshire Choice Awards 2026, and Dene has been nominated for Inspirational Individual of the Year!
Thank you so much - we’re genuinely proud of the difference this work is making.
Here’s the thing - we didn’t build Streetwise Defence to win awards. We built it to help people feel safer. And this nomination matters because it shows that work is reaching people and helping in real life.
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has trusted us to support them, learned with us, shared our work, or simply supported what we’re trying to do.
Yorkshire Choice Awards
The Yorkshire Choice Awards recognise independent businesses and individuals making a positive difference across Yorkshire communities, and it’s an honour to be recognised alongside them.
Public voting is open until 1 March 2026.
So, if our personal safety and self defence training, podcast, safety advice or resources have ever helped you or someone you care about, we would be incredibly grateful if you chose to support us.
Just click the link below to vote before 1 March 2026 - it is quick and easy to vote. Our categories are 3rd and 2nd from last on the list.
Why Streetwise Defence Exists
Streetwise Defence is an independent personal safety and self defence training provider based in Barnsley, founded by Julie Waite and Dene Josham and shaped by both lived experience and professional expertise.
At the heart of Streetwise Defence is a simple belief - no one should have to live in fear.
Everything we teach is designed to be practical, realistic and usable in real-world situations, whether that is in schools, workplaces, community settings or everyday life.
Impact Across Schools, Workplaces and Communities
In 2025 alone, Streetwise Defence supported more than 3,000 people through personal safety and self defence workshops delivered across schools, workplaces and community groups.
Alongside in-person training, we are committed to making safety information accessible beyond paid sessions.
Our women’s personal safety podcast launched in 2025 and has been downloaded more than 1,600 times, while Streetwise safety blogs were read more than 13,500 times in 2025, covering topics including phone theft prevention, festival safety and travelling alone.
Alongside our paid training work, Dene also volunteers his time speaking to Women’s Institute groups, sharing personal safety awareness and confidence-building advice with women of all ages.
Why Public Voting Matters
The Yorkshire Choice Awards are decided by public vote, which means this nomination reflects the people, organisations and communities who trust us to support them.
If you believe in the importance of people feeling safer, more confident and more empowered in their everyday lives, we would be incredibly grateful if you chose to support us.
THANK YOU FROM BOTH OF US
Whether you have trained with us, listened to the podcast, read a blog, shared our content, or simply supported what we are trying to do, thank you.
Streetwise Defence has always been about helping people move from fear to confidence, and we are proud to be part of a Yorkshire business community working to make a positive difference.
Find out more about The Yorkshire Choice Awards.