Vulnerability training 'likely to boost footfall'

By Rebecca Weller

- Last updated on GMT

98% of customers more likely to attend venues which use 'Ask for Angela': OderPay offers discounted vulnerability training (Credit: Getty/monkeybusinessimages)
98% of customers more likely to attend venues which use 'Ask for Angela': OderPay offers discounted vulnerability training (Credit: Getty/monkeybusinessimages)
A recent study has revealed 90% of customers were more likely to attend a venue if staff had received vulnerability training.

The study, which was conducted by the Safer Sounds programme WAVE, found 98% of people surveyed at King’s College Union Freshers Fair were more likely to attend a pub or nightclub if they were aware ‘Ask for Angela’​ was in operation at the premises.

However, further research, also conducted by WAVE, found of the 1,700 hospitality workers surveyed, just 7% had received vulnerability training despite 56% having stated they encounter an incident involving a vulnerable person at least once a week.

Vital training 

Safer Sounds programme manager Phillipe Chiarella said: “It's absolutely vital that venues are trained in recognising vulnerability and how to respond to people who ‘Ask for Angela’​.” 

In order to make vulnerability training more accessible, OrderPay has partnered with Safer Sounds, the organisation responsible for the 'Ask For Angela'​ campaign, to offer a free one-hour, online customer safeguarding panel, which is open to anyone in hospitality.

The safeguarding panel discussion will take place on Tuesday 1 February at 10am and will cover the importance of staff training, safety in hospitality and customer protection best practices with experts such as a representative from the police service, safety expert Phillipe Chiarella and London's Night Czar Amy Lamé in attendance.

As well as the panel discussion, OrderPay has encouraged as many venues as possible to complete the training by offering a 50% discount on Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training.

Once a venue has completed the appropriate training, they will then receive an ‘Ask for Angela’ ​badge, displayed on the OrderPay app.

Helping more people than ever 

The badge remains on screen as users move through from the venues home page to its information and menus; and when clicked on it tells customers the three steps they should take if they feel unsafe.

Chiarella added: “Initiatives like this mean we can offer help to more people than ever.

“We are delighted OrderPay is partnering with us and are taking a holistic and meaningful approach; not only offering training to the industry, but also implementing the ‘Ask For Angela’ badge for consumers.”

For more information visit orderpay.com/ask-for-angela​.

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