Ask for Angela: Staff had no clue, says pub worker

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq8v4p2dj01o

Ask for Angela: Staff had no clue, says pub worker

A pub worker has warned failures in the Ask for Angela safety scheme are putting vulnerable women at risk, after a BBC undercover investigation found more than half of participating venues failed to respond properly.

The Ask for Angela initiative, external, a project in place at thousands of venues nationwide, aims to provide a discreet lifeline for people who believe they are in danger.

A bar employee, who the BBC is naming only as "Jack", worked in three different venues running the scheme from 2018 to 2024. He told the BBC about failures in implementation.

The talk is pubs and venues, but should this scheme be extended from public houses to public transport?  Are there people in abusive relationships or feeling suicidal who need a route to flag up to someone that they are in need of immediate assistance?   

[Marlburian]

I guess that the turn-over of staff at pubs and other hospitality venues doesn't help. No doubt newcomers get some sort of induction training, but does it include "Angela"? Apparently not.

I think there's also a scheme whereby people with incontinence problems can produce a card asking to use the staff toilets. I wonder if this arrangement is also generally known to staff?

And I gather there are various ways that women can indicate that they're in an awkward situation. A very quick Google shows there are sites listing three or five ways, including this American one.

[ChrisB]

I've seen UK^▸ (United Kingdom) ads for that 'American' one, aimed at schoolkids

[Chris from Nailsea]

Are there people ... who need a route to flag up to someone that they are in need of immediate assistance?   

Yes.

If I have any idea there is someone in need of help, assistance or guidance, whatever their signal, I will immediately offer whatever support I can.

Many years ago, I offered support and local information to the father and brother of a man who had died, in sad circumstances, at Nailsea & Backwell station, when they visited the scene.  They, from - I seem to remember, Nottingham - were very grateful for my help.

CfN.

[Marlburian]

About 20 years ago, my partner and I were walking alongside the Kennet & Avon Canal at Thatcham. We noticed a middle-aged woman looking sad and Maz, a very sympathetic lady, went up to enquire if she was OK. It  turned out the woman's son had died there, so Maz gave her a big hug. (We were on the Ridgeway above the Vale of Pewsey and noticed a stationary tractor with a man lying on his back about 15 yards away. Maz went over, but as she approached he got up - apparently he'd been having a snooze.)

I've mentioned before that I was waiting for a train in heavy drizzle at Tilehurst Station and noticed a girl sitting on a bench. When the train arrived, I got on, but the girl remained on the bench. Luckily there was a trio of Samaritan-style volunteers who'd got into the same carriage as I, so I pointed the girl out to them, and they scrambled off to offer help.