A group of women called the Night Angels are patrolling the streets in Gloucestershire in a bid to keep women safe. They provide a lifeline for those who may have found them in a vulnerable situation having gone out or that evening.
Chrissie Lowery, from Stroud, founded the Stroud and Gloucester Night Angels and the volunteers come together to give their time and support to Chrissie’s vision to make the streets safer for women. Each of the Angels are put through a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to ensure they have no criminal history preventing them working with vulnerable people.
The Night Angels have been able to provide transport for vulnerable women, administer first aid and supported those facing mental health struggles. The team have also been first on the scene help those who have been subjected to domestic violence as well.
(Image: Gloucester Night Angels)
Chrissie said: “We patrol on the anti-social behaviour hotspots around Gloucester. Particular areas in the city include Grey Friars, St Michaels Square, Gloucester Park, Barton Street and side roads. We also go along the strip later at night to help any vulnerable women leaving the clubs.
“My Angels want to make a difference in Gloucestershire and to date we have assisted in over 200 incidents.. The team on patrol may have daughters, granddaughters, friends who are out drinking and may need help and some of the Angles, like myself, are survivors of domestic abuse.
“We have taken women home who would have been very vulnerable due to their mental state or having lost their money. We helped women who have been spiked, and got an ambulance for a woman who was having seizures.
“We have been on hand with ringing the police when domestic violence situations happen on our patrol and so much more. We have also helped lots of men with first aid.
(Image: Gloucester Night Angels)
“We give first aid, carry a defibrillator and Naloxone, which is a drug to reverse effects of overdosing. We transport vulnerable women home, assist the police with vulnerable women and the night time economy staff.
“As part of our work, we had out water, and ring ambulances for those in need. During our patrols we have helped women who are suffering with their mental health and we signpost to other services who can assist them.
“We are trying to provide extra patrols but we just don’t have enough Angels for Stroud but we do in Gloucester.”