imabi Collaborates with National Ask for Angela to Make Discreet Support Easier to Find Through Safe Spaces Map Layer

imabi, a national community engagement platform supporting safeguarding, community safety and wellbeing, has collaborated with the national Ask for Angela initiative, adding participating venues to imabi’s Safe Spaces map layer to help people identify discreet support when they feel vulnerable or unsafe in public spaces.

Ask for Angela is a nationally recognised safeguarding initiative that enables people to ask for help discreetly in participating venues by using the phrase “Angela”. Trained staff recognise this as a request for support and can respond appropriately, whether that means helping someone contact a friend, arranging safe transport, speaking to security, or contacting emergency services if required.

Originally launched within hospitality settings such as bars, pubs and clubs, Ask for Angela has grown into a widely recognised safeguarding scheme operating across a range of public-facing environments, including taxis, shopping centres, leisure centres, schools, fire stations and student accommodation.

Through this collaboration, participating Ask for Angela venues that have signed the National Ask for Angela Pledge will now be visible within imabi’s Safe Spaces map layer on Travel Guardian app and wider imabi’s platform, making it easier for users to locate nearby venues where discreet support is available.

The integration supports imabi’s wider mission to help people stay safe, connected and informed by making trusted safety information, support routes and mapped community assets more accessible through the imabi platform.

Sylvia Oates, a Director of Ask for Angela said:

“imabi is a fantastic safeguarding platform that connects individuals with trusted safety information, resources and support. Through our partnership with imabi, we are able to increase awareness of the Ask for Angela scheme and our Find a Venue service, helping more people locate safe spaces and access support when they need it most.

At the heart of Ask for Angela is the belief that everyone deserves to feel safe and know where to turn if they need help. By working with imabi, we are extending the reach of that support, ensuring more people can access trusted safety information and feel confident that help is available when they are out in public spaces.”

Mark Balaam, Founder and CEO of imabi said:

“Ask for Angela is a powerful initiative because it gives people a discreet way to ask for help when they may feel unsafe, vulnerable or unsure what to do next. By adding Ask for Angela venues to imabi’s Safe Spaces map layer, we are helping make that support more visible and easier to find when people are out in public spaces.”

The collaboration is particularly relevant for night-time economy areas, town centres, student communities, transport-linked environments, events and social settings where people may need quick access to trusted support.

The partnership also reflects the growing importance of collaboration between safety initiatives, local authorities, Business Improvement Districts, venues and community organisations in creating safer socialising environments.

“In practice, safety is not just about responding when something has already happened. Our focus has always been based on prevention, visibility and confidence. Making Ask for Angela venues accessible through the Safe Spaces map layer gives people more options, helps them plan with confidence and connects them with support that already exists around them” – said Mark.

Users can currently access National Ask for Angela locations via the Safe Spaces map layer in the imabi’s Travel Guardian app available to download on App Store and Google Play or online here:  https://www.askforangela.co.uk/find-a-venue

To be featured on both maps, you can sign the Official Ask for Angela Pledge here: https://www.askforangela.co.uk/the-pledge

For more information on imabi, see here: https://www.imabi.com/