Soho Angels - The Night-time Volunteers Helping People Stay Safe This Festive Season

LONDON , Dec. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Specially trained volunteers will be out on the streets of Soho this festive season, ensuring Christmas revellers 'end the night right'. Whether handing out water or helping people get medical attention, the will be doing everything in their power to help people end the night right. They will also be trained to spot those who are most vulnerable - for example, due to being on their own, or being intoxicated.

and are partnering on this new night time safety initiative, proudly supported by . It's designed to make London's nightlife a safer space for everyone, and a more inclusive and understanding space for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people.

The Angels home base, the located at St Anne's, will offer a safe space for people to rest, recover, get help if they've fallen victim to crime, or simply charge their phone. The Hub and Angels are there for anyone who needs help while out at night in Soho, whether they are residents, visitors or tourists.

The pilot formally launches on , and it will run every Friday through December. With the lessons learned during this time, it's hoped the scheme will be rolled out every Friday and Saturday from February 2019 .

, Cabinet Member for Public Protection and Licensing, said:

This new initiative stems from Westminster Council's Licensing Charter work, and LGBT Foundation's Village Angels programme, which has become a key fixture of Manchester's nightlife. A number of partners are helping to deliver the project, including St John Ambulance, Drinkaware, Metropolitan Police, London Ambulance Service and Safer West End .

Founded in 2011, LGBT Foundation's Village Angels in Manchester have helped nearly 100,000 people and are credited with helping to reduce crime, alleviate pressure on emergency services and ensure thousands of clubbers get home safely. In 2017, LGBT Foundation partnered with the Smirnoff "We're Open" campaign to begin expanding the Village Angels nationally.

, Chief Executive of LGBT Foundation, explains:

Unfortunately, we know that people can be targeted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity and that LGBT communities still face discrimination and barriers to accessing support. .

Smirnoff Marketing Manager, , added

, St John Ambulance London and South regional operations manager, said: