University honours women's safety advocate Amanda Kenny

The University has conferred an Honorary Fellowship on Amanda Kenny in recognition of her outstanding contribution to women's personal safety, community wellbeing and public service.

Amanda, a University of Wolverhampton alumna, has dedicated more than two decades to empowering women and girls through self-defence training, education and advocacy. A qualified Women's Self Defence Trainer, she has delivered training and support to thousands of women across the West Midlands and beyond.

Amanda said: "I am deeply honoured to receive this Honorary Fellowship from the University of Wolverhampton. Returning to the University, where my journey began, makes this recognition especially meaningful. I thank the University and UNISON, especially the University of Wolverhampton Branch, for their commitment to women's personal safety and for commissioning the Personal Safety Pilot Project. I hope this partnership continues and that more staff and students can benefit from ongoing safety sessions. While responsibility for violence against women and girls should never rest with women, giving women the confidence, awareness and practical skills to recognise and respond to risk can be life-changing. I hope this award helps highlight the importance of continuing this work."

After graduating from the University with a BA (Hons) in Women's Studies, Amanda built a career spanning education, counselling, youth work, mental health services and domestic abuse support. She holds a City and Guilds teaching qualification and a Graduate Certificate in Integrative Counselling.

Throughout her career, Amanda has worked with a wide range of organisations and community groups, including Women's Aid, Victim Support, Wolverhampton Adult Education Service, domestic violence forums, schools, housing services and charities supporting vulnerable people. She has also served as a CAMHS Therapeutic Practitioner with Wolverhampton NHS, supporting children, young people and families through a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches.

In recent years, Amanda has continued to expand her reach, delivering personal safety and self-defence training across the West Midlands, South Staffordshire, Shropshire and the Wye Valley, as well as running courses further afield in response to increasing demand for domestic abuse support services.

As a respected advocate for women's safety, Amanda's work focuses on providing women and girls with practical skills, strategies and confidence to help them navigate threatening, intimidating or potentially violent situations. Her community-based approach has supported people from all walks of life, including care leavers, people experiencing homelessness, those in recovery services and survivors of abuse.

Amanda has also maintained strong links with her alma mater. Working with the University and in partnership with UNISON, she has delivered personal safety sessions for staff, creating safe spaces for discussion while sharing practical techniques designed to increase confidence and personal security. The initiative has received highly positive feedback from participants and is being expanded to reach further groups across the University community.

The honorary award recognises Amanda's exceptional achievements in her field, her sustained commitment to supporting women and vulnerable communities, and her significant contribution to public service and education.