National Pubwatch encourages pubs to support vulnerable customers
‘Supporting Vulnerable People’ is just one of many initiatives unveiled by the voluntary organisation, which supports over 800 Pubwatch branches across the UK, in a bid to promote safe, secure and social drinking environments in all licensed premises throughout the UK.
NPW chairman Steve Baker OBE, said: “It is important as we head into the Christmas period that publicans and operators continue to meet their obligations to ensure premises are safe and protect vulnerable customers.
Supporting licensees
“We understand the coronavirus pandemic continues to create a challenging business environment but we hope that by providing these free training videos and tools we can support them in their efforts.”
The latest message from the NPW comes after leading trade associations teamed up last month to highlight the resources available to operators in a bid to combat increasing concerns about drink spiking across the UK.
Working in partnership with Best Bar None (BBN), NPW has produced a range of tools to improve the operation and standards of venues.
These include free downloadable policies and procedures documentation relating to topics such as safeguarding vulnerable persons, Challenge 21/25, crime and disorder, drugs, searching and overcrowding.
Advice from NPW and BBN:
- If your venue doesn’t already have a vulnerability policy, consider developing something now. Simple policy documents (which can be adapted to your own operating environment) can be downloaded here.
- Carry out a team training session to discuss the policy and receive feedback to allow amendments. The NPW training film Protecting Vulnerable People will provide a starting point for team discussions. The film can be viewed here.
- Task individual frontline staff to complete the Drinkaware e.learning Alcohol Vulnerability module. Training staff can help them with their continuous learning portfolio. The e.learning module can be accessed here.
- Consider supporting the Ask for Angela initiative. Successful implementation of the initiative depends on all staff understanding vulnerability and how to respond. The Ask for Angela poster can be downloaded and printed here.
Reducing vulnerability
BBN chairman, The Lord Smith of Hindhead, said: “We are delighted to promote the free resources and tools prepared and made available by our colleagues at National Pubwatch to our Best Bar None schemes.
“We know trading has been difficult for many licensees following the challenging conditions they have weathered through the pandemic so far.
“The free resources should enable venues to continue their efforts to reduce vulnerability at little cost to them, which we hope proves helpful through the festive season and beyond.”
