Life Leisure is setting a new national standard for safety in the health and wellbeing industry as the first leisure centre in the UK to launch ‘Ask for Angela’. The introduction of this initiative at its Houldsworth Village hub positions Life Leisure as a leader in sector safeguarding, setting a benchmark for inclusive safety practice across the UK.
As part of its ongoing aspiration to make its environments even safer and more inclusive, Life Leisure is rolling out the Ask for Angela campaign to support anyone who may feel unsafe, vulnerable, or uncomfortable while using its hubs. As safety and inclusion continue to be a priority across community spaces, initiatives like this play a vital role in building trust and confidence.
While Ask for Angela is often associated with bars and clubs (and is sometimes misunderstood as an initiative only supporting women), the scheme is in fact designed for everyone. It’s now widely used across a range of settings, including hotels, chemists, taxi services, theatres, cinemas, shops, and more.
By simply asking a member of staff for “Angela,” visitors can communicate that they need help without having to explain their situation in detail. Life Leisure’s trained team will respond quickly, calmly, and without judgment to provide appropriate support.
The initiative also reinforces a clear message that harassment and unwanted behaviour will not be tolerated in Life Leisure hubs. It demonstrates that staff are trained and prepared to respond effectively when someone may be in need of help or reassurance.
Eve Fox, Inclusion Officer at Life Leisure, said: “We want everyone who walks through our doors to feel safe, supported, and respected. Ask for Angela gives people a simple and discreet way to ask for help if they need it, and reinforces our commitment to creating spaces where everyone can enjoy being active without concern.”
Research highlights the importance of such measures, with a recent YouGov survey showing that 49% of people would be more likely to visit a venue that has visible safety measures in place. Initiatives like Ask for Angela help strengthen public confidence and improve perceptions of safety across community spaces.
Life Leisure is proud to be the first leisure centre in the UK to introduce this campaign, building on its wider safeguarding policies and commitment to tackling harassment and promoting wellbeing. Visitors to the hub may notice supporting posters in changing rooms and toilets, alongside awareness communications across social media and digital platforms.
This initiative is part of Life Leisure’s wider mission to ensure its hubs are not only places to exercise, but safe, inclusive communities where everyone can feel confident, supported, and able to thrive.
