For many years National Pubwatch has actively promoted initiatives which provide support for vulnerable people. Probably the most well known is the Ask for Angela initiative.
We know that many pubs and nightclub venues have embraced the initiative as it provides a very clear and simple message for vulnerable customers, i.e. if you need help – seek out a member of staff and ‘Ask for Angela’.
However, the effectiveness of any initiative, and Ask for Angela is no exception, is that it needs to be delivered in a consistent manner. Not everyone will feel able or willing to approach a member of staff and provide clear and direct information when they are in trouble and need help. It follows therefore that if someone mentions the name ‘Angela’ that it should be received as if there is a loud klaxon sounding in the room.
So, if you have implemented Ask for Angela its not just a simple matter of putting up posters in the toilets. No – you must ensure that protecting vulnerable people is an established policy for your business, that staff are properly trained and have the confidence to recognise vulnerability and they respond quickly and assertively when required to act.
National Pubwatch provides a wealth of free and accessible materials on a range of subjects, and in particular relating to the protection of vulnerable people. For example, you can download and print an Ask for Angela poster and a generic Safeguarding and Vulnerable Persons Policy from our website Resources page.
Free training materials, including films can be found on the Supporting Vulnerable People section of our Good Practice Pub.
If you want more information on Ask for Angela you can visit the initiatives website www.askforangela.co.uk
