We go UP CLOSE with Nicky and Laurence Schofield the owners and instructors at SMART Dojos the family martial arts school who talk humble beginnings, social distance training and being able to walk home safely.

In the wake of the tragic events surrounding Sarah Everard's alleged abduction and murder, enquiries about self defence classes and basic things like how to prevent making people anxious when walking down the street have once again raised its head.

For the Schofield's dealing with aggression, how to channel it, the prevention and avoidance of conflict at all levels comes as second nature after years of learning and experience. In addition they embrace the families learning together ethos and harness our inner anger so it can explode in a controlled and safe environment.

Laurence is also skilled at dealing with the psychological aspects of conflict avoidance after his final chapter with the Royal Marine Commandos saw him become one of just eight specialist instructors advising on defusing situations at home or abroad.

While it should be every person's right to walk down the street, day or night, in safety, there are ways we can all help avoid creating anxiety.

"There is a need for change in the whole public perception of what can or can't I do, or where can I step," said Laurence. "It goes back to standing your ground, the hunter gatherer mentality, with the woman at home nest building, and that has gone through evolution but needs to change.

"If I were to give tips it would start with understanding and space. If you are approaching someone given them space. In a public zone, two or three feet, more than an arm's length in between. If you are face to face, then angle away to avoid making someone anxious and ensure you give them an avenue of escape."

Laurence also recommended good communication, by making a greeting, being polite, keeping and respecting space. Don't be silent, no creeping up, use your keys or your phone to make noise, and if possible just cross the street.

Real self defence, the practical skills taught to help get out of trouble, was already part of SMART Dojos portfolio before the Sarah Everard tragedy, and they encouraged other family members to help out during remote learning lessons

Nicky said: "We have our own self defence students and they were missing the physical hands on aspect. So we tried a new approach on Zoom by showing how to do the moves.

"The whole thing about self defence is getting out of a hold. So at home, using their husband, wife, or even children and their mums and dads.

Laurence added: "It was not just about Sarah Everard it is many people gong back a long while. This was the final catalyst which highlighted the fear people can have.

"Everyone should be able to walk down the street without feeling blooming scared. Ans that is women, girls boys and men. So we have the skills and we want to be able to use those to help."

Nicky and Laurence's path to teaching family martial arts and real defence training started with a love at first sight moment in a Colchester clothes shop way back in 1993, as Laurence explained: "I was working in River Island and Nick walked into my life that day. I knew she was the one for me and we have never looked back."

The chance meeting came nine weeks before Laurence joined the Royal Marines at Lympstone. Despite the long distance with Nicky in Suffolk and Laurence predominately based in the south west. the couple got married three years later and they settled in Plymouth together before their son Luke came along and Nicky moved back to Brantham

Laurence said: "Several operational deployments around the world made me see things differently. When I got back from Iraq for the last time I told Nick I could no longer spend six months away, especially with little one on the way, so we moved back to this area.

"While I was away Nick had basically brought Luke up on her own, albeit with help from both families."

Not that Nicky was pining at home like a lonely housewife. She is skilled in accounts and credit control, and bringing up a lively young son.

"I was working in my dad's business after we came back from Plymouth," recalled Nick. "Luke was having some problems at school in Brantham where he was being too aggressive with other children and had trouble focusing.

"We thought karate would be a good thing to help channel his aggression and he loved it.

"We were going four or five times a week and I got roped in. I helped with a parents' class teaching children and I loved it. The karate was a real bonding thing for me and our son. It kept us busy while Laurence was away."

Nicky became so good she earned her black belt in 2012, with Luke awarded his six months later, and that experience led to her teaching at a higher level at the East Bergholt based club where the pair had progressed.

"I had never even thought about teaching like that," said Nicky. I never had the confidence to do something like that. The martial arts gave me that confidence.

"I had worked part time to start with, then I went full time in 2014 but it doesn't feel as if I have had a job because I have enjoyed it so much."

With Laurence now serving his time and retiring from the Royal Marines after 25 years, the couple teamed up to buy the Holbrook sports centre based Peninsula Martial Arts. They rebranded it as the Schofield's Martial Arts and Real defence Training (SMART) Dojos.

They have grown from 18 students to 120, aged from three to seniors, at Holbrook Sports Centre and have added kick boxing and real self defence to the martial arts. Nick is clear her own experiences with Luke is a factor for many other parents looking to what is on offer to beginners and all other levels and abilities.

"Parents want things for their children to do, to get them off screens given them focus and concentration," said Nicky. "It is just as we went through."

Dealing with adversity held the couple in good stead as the pandemic hit SMART Dojos hard and for a while it was touch and go with the couple thinking they would have to close the business and get other jobs.

But their students in the main stayed loyal and now a restart date is looking good, with Monday, April 12 at Holbrook, confirmed (subject to government changing the guidelines). Although, it could be a punishing return for many as Nicky celebrates her birthday the day before and tradition has it the class does press ups to mark each year - she will be 48.

The Zoom classes will continue until April 12 and they plan to be outside for for five weeks and Nicky is so grateful to her students, and excited to be back

Nick said: "We would not still be here if it was not for the students. There was point we thought we would have to close and find employment elsewhere but they have stuck with us.

"We look forward to being able to teach everyone together because many parents enjoy training with their children and we are a family club.

"Holbrook Academy will continue our letting. We will be outdoor at first then we will be using the sports hall.

"They got in touch to say to us we had done so much for the community they did not want to lose us, let's keep it going."

The couple help teach 200 students at an martial arts academy at East Bergholt and they have also tried out a few other things, such as a Boot Camp, and sessions with various community groups, including cubs and guides and the WI.

"Shotley WI was fantastic," said Nicky who joked, "Although, they were harder to control than the Brownies and the Beavers."

Knowing the demand is high, the Schofields are looking to expand with a club in Brightlingsea, Essex a probability, and that has been helped by securing a unit in Lawford to stow kit and host a small dojo, freeing up the shed and their home.

Meanwhile, the catalyst for all this, son Luke, is now 21 working a trainee electrician and although now prefers boxing, he still helps out when asked, especially as he is the master of the nunchucks.

To book a class, or just find out more, go to the SMART Dojos website here...