With over 20 years experience in martial arts, Nathaniel, has achieved sensei status, and is a well respected international instructor and coach. He holds the rank of 4th Dan Black Belt in Karate and his knowledge extends over several systems including Ju-Jitsu and Kobudo (Weapons). These skills helped to lay the foundations of The Safety Box.
Through a series of bespoke self-defence programmes, the Safety Box organisation actively works with London-wide schools and other youth organisations to address the growing concerns of knife crime, gun violence and anti-social behaviour. Nathaniel explains that, "by equipping youths with non-violent tools and ways of protecting themselves through self defence, danger awareness and conflict resolution, we are pro-actively tackling one of the most concerning issues of our society.”
In its mission to make a difference in society, The Safety Box seeks to encourage and develop youngsters into achieving and bettering themselves through a wide range of interpersonal courses.
Providing a solution
To date, The Safety Box has launched a number of school-based programmes in various areas of London including boroughs of Hackney, Barnet, Tottenham, Haringey and more recently Croydon.
New programmes are being introduced all of which are in line with the government's ‘Every Child Matters’ initiative. The Safety Box programmes continue to build on the curriculum in subjects including PSHE (Personal, Safety and Health Education) and Citizenship in schools across the capital.
Nathaniel’s endeavours were recognised during Enterprise Week 2007 when he beat scores of top entrepreneurs to scoop the two prominent awards at the national Enterprising Young Brits Awards - 'Make Your Mark'.
Aiming to inspire young people into making their ideas happen, Make Your Mark is a national campaign backed by an unprecedented coalition of charities, businesses and designed to create an enterprise culture in the UK. Nathaniel became the first person ever to win two Enterprising Young Brits awards, when he scooped both in the Social & Community category as well as the much coveted People’s Choice Award.
The Safety Box now constantly receives interest from schools and organisations seeking ways to effectively reduce youth violence and crime. All trainers are CRB checked, Certified First Aiders (FAWs) and come highly qualified in personal protection. Each come from a wide variety of employment backgrounds and have trained and provided services for many organisations. Not one to rest on its laurels the organisation is also currently exploring partnerships with similar foundations to broaden the scope of its work with young people.
In choosing to give back to the community in this way The Safety Box offers real hope to young people in desperate need of discipline and the required conflict resolution skills to avoid potentially fatal violence on the streets.
The inspirational Nathaniel has a saying he takes to heart and has never forgotten;
“Before your hand goes out, pull your anger back, before your anger goes out pull your hand back” – Yamanaka Sensei.
External LinksThe Safety BoxiGenius - Nathaniel peat - Students keep on going!Make Your Mark - Enterprising Young Brits 2007 winners and finalists
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