Umbrella sexual health service has teamed up with The Jiu Jitsu Foundation – the largest martial art style in the UK – to provide the first line of sexual health self-defence for the city’s students.

Four Birmingham-based Jiu-jitsu clubs, including those at Aston University, University of Birmingham, University College Birmingham and Birmingham City University, will be handing out information cards and free condoms during Freshers’ Weeks in September.

Umbrella, which is run by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, aims to reduce the number of people infected with sexually transmitted diseases, particularly in the 16-24 age group, as well as providing support to vulnerable people who may have been the victim of sexual exploitation, coercion and violence.    

It focuses on health promotion and preventative care for the community with free, confidential, non-judgmental support, counselling, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment.

Eric Lau, Head of Jiu Jitsu West Midlands and three-time national champion said: “We are very pleased to support Umbrella. We have been teaching students across Birmingham the art of self-defence for over 25 years.

“What Umbrella and our Jiu Jitsu clubs have in common is that we both aim to prepare students with essential life skills and knowledge to protect themselves and enjoy their time studying and socialising safely in this amazing city.

“Understanding the risks, protecting yourself and taking positive action is at the heart of what we do, therefore it makes sense for us to be working together to promote this really important message.”

Anyone in Birmingham and Solihull is a potential Umbrella service user and can go online to:

• Order free self-sampling kits, which test for HIV, chlamydia, syphilis, Hepatitis B and gonorrhea
• Locate your nearest clinic
• Book an appointment
• Find out more about Umbrella services

To find out more about Umbrella, visit the website.

• Umbrella Health

You can also find out more about Jiu jitsu and The Jiu Jitsu Foundation on their website.

• The Jiu Jitsu Foundation