D.A.M Training and Security

There’s one company committed to not only challenging stereotypes but also tackling anti-social behaviour.

After an eight year career in the armed forces and a lengthy stint as a bodyguard to top British officials in the Middle East, Debbie Mills was determined to do everything she could to make a positive change to the security industry.

So, she set up D.A.M Training and Security in December 2009 with her sister and a friend.  It provides training for young women who have been involved, or could potentially be caught up, in anti-social behaviour. 

Starting from as young as 13, the girls take part in the City & Guilds Personal and Social Development Award which aims to develop their confidence as well as learning key life skills such team work, encouraging healthy living and how to improve social relationships.  

Debbie said: “Many of the girls who come to us are lacking in self-confidence and don’t have the basic social skills to get them ahead in their lives or their careers.

“We realised that before we started any security training it was essential to develop these skills as it’s key to making sure they’re ready for the world or work – after all, it only takes one bad female security guard to give us all a bad reputation.”

Only 80 females in the UK are qualified bodyguards in the UK, and Debbie is determined to increase that number through her security training which sees the young people learn vital self-defence skills, become trained in martial arts and learn how to get themselves out of a threatening situation in a non-violent way.

And D.A.M’s support doesn’t end after the 26 week programme is finished.

Debbie added: “It’s not a case of training up these women and then leaving them to fend for themselves – we want to see them make the most of their newly-discovered skills and we will use our contracts in the security industry to try and get them jobs.

“We also provide training to the young people to help them perfect their CV and interview techniques.”

But without the help of Stepclever, Debbie’s business dream may never have come true.  A grant of £4,600 helped the organisation gain its approved centre status for City & Guilds training and also paid for insurance and the first couple of months rent.

“Stepclever have been invaluable and we really couldn’t have done it without them. 

“We’ve taken on board all their help and advice and as a result feel we’ve got a business that will not only benefit these young people and society itself.

“There are already plans in place to expand the training we offer, targeting more young offenders and also opening the sessions up to young men – it’s a really exciting time and I can’t thank Stepclever enough for all their support.”

For more information about D.A.M Training and Security call 0151 482 5571 or visit their facebook page D.A.M Training & Security Ltd.