The Life Leisure Houldsworth Village hub in Reddish, Stockport, has become the first leisure centre in the United Kingdom to launch the ‘Ask for Angela’ safety scheme. The initiative, which officially began on 16 April 2026, allows anyone visiting the facility to discreetly signal for help if they feel unsafe or vulnerable.
By simply asking a member of staff for ‘Angela,’ visitors can communicate that they need assistance without having to explain their situation in detail. Staff at the centre have been trained to respond to this code word quickly, calmly, and without judgment to provide appropriate support, such as escorting a person to safety, reuniting them with companions, or contacting the police.
Eve Fox, Inclusion Officer at Life Leisure, which is a community interest company owned by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, explained that the move is intended to ensure all visitors feel supported. She stated that the organisation wants everyone who walks through their doors to feel safe and respected, and the scheme reinforces their commitment to creating spaces where people can enjoy being active without concern.
The ‘Ask for Angela’ project was originally created in 2016 by police inspector Hayley Crawford while working for Lincolnshire County Council. It was named in remembrance of Angela Crompton, who was killed by her husband in 2012, and the initiative now operates in more than 50 countries. While the scheme is widely known in pubs and bars, its introduction to a leisure environment is a first for the UK, with Houldsworth Village serving as the initial location in a planned rollout across all eight of the company’s local leisure hubs.
Research, including a recent YouGov survey, indicates that 49 per cent of people would be more likely to visit a venue with visible safety measures in place. This launch follows public discussions about the importance of consistent implementation for such safety schemes across all sectors.
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