'Night Angels' expand to help women feel safe

Night Angels volunteers with patrol dog Blossom on night duty

A volunteer safety initiative that began in Stroud is expanding into Swindon, with teams also patrolling trains.

Chrissie Lowery, founder of the Safe Space scheme, told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: "Three years ago we started Safe Space in Stroud and we expanded that to the Night Angels the year after.

This year we've gone into the trains, so we go between Swindon and Worcester and we're linking up with Swindon Councils and (the) Police to bring the Angels to Swindon as well."

The volunteers wear bright pink high viz jackets, pink bags and Night Angels or Train Angels badges.

Train Angel volunteers Pippa Collins (centre) and Glynis (Pippa's mum) with a Great Western Railway train manager

The Safe Space scheme was started in 2022 after a spate of rapes, sexual assaults and lewd acts in Stroud. "I then launched the Night Angels there in 2023 and then the Gloucester Angels in 2024", Chrissy explained.

The Train Angels team who partner with GWR started in May of this year.

The group now has 60 to 70 trained volunteers.

"We've all got a passion for safety towards women. We are there very much (there) in person.

"We work with a lot of partnerships, the night-time economy – we have radios so people can radio us and say 'we need you in this venue'.

Members have all been trained as mental health first aiders: "The police give us training and the Councils give us training so we know what to expect and we can de-escalate when we need to."

Blossom, the Night Angels' canine companion

There's even a canine Night Angel called Blossom. "Blossom will patrol the trains as well and keep people safe. She's really good at helping people feel calm and she's so good at her job."

A Safe Haven and a helpline for women fleeing domestic violence have also been launched, and funding for transport, an app and CCTV is also being sought.