Alcohol Change UK
Alcohol Change UK focuses on ending the harms caused by alcohol, collaborating with those who share our vision of ending alcohol harm and work to create a network of those committed to ending alcohol harm including: researchers, policy-makers, practitioners, corporate supporters, charity sector colleagues, people with first-hand experience and the general public.
Two of our campaigns highlight how a great night out can be enjoyed with less, or even no, alcohol.
Our ongoing campaign #StopSoberShaming shines a light on the many ways we might make others feel uncomfortable for not drinking alcohol – from subtle assumptions to pushing alcohol on friends when they have said no. This might be the decision not to drink alcohol for day, a month or indefinitely. By first highlighting unhelpful and upsetting behaviours, and then giving people practical tips to play their part in stopping Sober Shaming, our work aims to support relationships where alcohol isn’t always the centre of attention. After all, with so many venues now offering excellent no and low-alcoholic alternatives, there are even more reasons to enjoy what really matters – time with those we love.
Launched in 2018, the Try Dry® app is a free tool from Alcohol Change UK to help individuals explore and reset their relationship with alcohol by tracking units, calories, and money saved, and monitoring your wellbeing, sleep, and mood. Rooted in behaviour change science, the app enables people to set personalised goals, from participating in the Dry January® challenge to cutting down on drinking alcohol year-round and is available on Android and Apple devices.
In-app ‘Missions’ are designed to encourage trying out activities or situations without alcohol – from dates to nights out to attending sports events – helping users explore how socialising, hobbies and leisure doesn’t have to centre around alcohol to still be enjoyed.
More than 1 million people have downloaded the app, with strong evidence that it works! Research by the University of Sussex shows that users are twice as likely to complete a dry month whilst using the app and 70% reduce their drinking long-term, significantly improving health and wellbeing.
Alcohol Change: https://alcoholchange.org.uk/
Alcohol Change – ‘Let’s Stop Sober Shaming’: https://alcoholchange.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/stopsobershaming
Alcohol Change – Try Dry® app: https://alcoholchange.org.uk/help-and-support/managing-your-drinking/dry-january/get-involved/the-dry-january-app
Ask for Angela
Ask for Angela is a nationally recognised safety initiative designed to give anyone who feels vulnerable or unsafe in a public place a discreet way to seek help. By asking for “Angela” at the bar or reception, staff are alerted to provide appropriate support, such as reuniting them with friends or helping them leave safely.
The initiative was first developed in Lincolnshire in 2016 and has since been adopted across the UK, with growing international interest. It addresses a clear need to ensure that both customers and staff feel confident that help is available if required. Public awareness is unusually high for a safeguarding scheme, and venues that adopt Ask for Angela are recognised as proactive, caring and responsible.
Training is central to the programme. Staff should be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to respond appropriately to a range of situations, ensuring consistent and safe interventions. The scheme is supported by signage and communication materials that increase visibility and reassure customers.
To help venues set up successfully, Ask for Angela CIC was established and provides a range of options to support successful scheme setup. These include training materials, guidance and implementation support, many of which are free of charge.
Attitude is Everything
Attitude is Everything supports festivals, venues and events of all sizes across the UK to become more accessible for Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people.
We work with festivals, venues and events of all kinds. We also work with labels, publishers and umbrella orgs around access for artists and professionals.
Attitude is Everything delivers projects connecting disabled people with the music and live events industry to ensure Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people can participate within music and events as audiences, artists, professionals and volunteers. Over 200 organisations have signed up to our Live Events Access Charter. Over 600 artists and professionals are part of our disabled artist and professional networks and we have over 150 mystery shoppers each year. Now in our 25th year, our goal is to ensure disabled people can be as independent as they want to be when participating at all levels of the events economy.
For more information, visit: www.attitudeiseverything.org.uk
Best Bar None
Best Bar None (BBN) is a national accreditation and awards scheme for licensed premises, designed to promote safer socialising through partnership working and high standards. Operating in more than 60 towns and cities and with over 3,000 accredited premises, BBN is supported by the Home Office and national industry partners.
Accreditation recognises venues that achieve excellence in safety, inclusivity, staff training and customer care. By setting clear standards and celebrating success, BBN provides venues with a framework for continuous improvement and a mark of quality that is visible to customers, partners and regulators alike.
Survey data from 2025 confirm its impact: 91% of schemes report that BBN has improved safety in their area, while 95.6% say it is effective in supporting local initiatives to reduce Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Nearly 83% of respondents highlight stronger partnerships, and 78% report improved communication between local partners and the licensed trade.
BBN schemes benefit from expert setup support to ensure effective implementation. Local areas are encouraged to collaborate and share learning with other towns and cities, spreading best practice and building confidence. Thanks to strong industry backing, this support is provided free of charge, removing financial barriers for local partnerships.
Best Bar None (Scotland): https://www.bbnscotland.co.uk/
Good Night Out Campaign
The Good Night Out Campaign publishes a digital resource for bystander training, which could be used by students’ unions and other groups and associations with a safeguarding mission. It invites bystanders to build their skills through a number of steps from merely being there to intervening when it is safe to do so.
National Pubwatch
National Pubwatch is a voluntary organisation which was established in 1997, to support the work of local Pubwatch schemes with the aim of creating safer drinking environments in the pub and hospitality sector.
Pubwatch schemes are local voluntary forums of licensees who work together to reduce crime and anti-social in their venues. The cornerstone of most schemes is the collective exclusion of troublesome individuals.
Most Pubwatch schemes will also introduce or support local initiatives that impact on issues that affect the safety of staff and customers.
National Pubwatch supports local Pubwatch schemes and promotes good practice through its conferences, newsletters and social media. It provides free documentation and materials such as posters and a range of free training aids such as workbooks and films.
Good practice by Pubwatch schemes and individuals is acknowledged and celebrated through its various awards.
Purple Flag
Purple Flag is an international accreditation that recognises excellence in the night time economy, with over 90 areas worldwide, including in the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Malta, New Zealand and Australia, benefiting from Purple Flag status.
The accreditation is based on a comprehensive framework of standards, good practice and evaluation, designed to support the development of thriving economies. Five core themes underpin the programme: wellbeing, movement, appeal, place, and policy envelope.
A collaborative approach is essential to success, with local authorities, BIDs, police, businesses, educational institutions and communities all playing a role. Benefits include enhanced reputation and public image, broader visitor appeal and higher local spend, reduced crime and anti-social behaviour, and stronger long-term economic sustainability through a balanced mix of uses.
Towns and cities with Purple Flag status use the accreditation to promote their areas, including their vibrancy, inclusivity and safety.
Safer Business Network
Safer Business Network works in partnership with the Mayor of London, local authorities, the police, businesses and organisations across the capital to improve safety and wellbeing in the night-time economy. We deliver and champion the Women’s Night Safety Charter, which commits organisations to seven pledges to make London a safer, more inclusive city for women at night. More than 3,000 organisations, across most industry sectors have now signed up, embedding measures that prioritise safety, staff awareness, and inclusive design.
We also lead on Safe Havens, a citywide network of businesses and organisations that provide temporary refuge for anyone who feels unwell, unsafe, or vulnerable. This practical initiative builds community trust and strengthens resilience in local areas.
Alongside this, our WAVE (Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement) Training equips frontline staff in licensed venues and public spaces with the tools to identify and support vulnerable people, de-escalate situations and promote safer nights out. To date, tens of thousands of staff have been trained, delivering measurable improvements in welfare outcomes and public confidence.
Together, these programmes directly support the Charter’s principles of a safe, inclusive, and thriving night-time economy through collaborative partnership and evidence-led best practice.
Women’s Night Safe Space
Women’s Night Safe Space is a safe bus for women and girls to come to, or be referred to in the city centre at night if they feel concerned, unsafe, unwell or vulnerable. We are here for women to seek refuge, support and advice.
We are there to make sure Leeds city centre is a safe, comfortable and fun space for all women.
Support may include:
• Mobile phone charging facilities
• Water, refreshments and warm drinks
• Support calling a taxi
• Somewhere to talk through concerns and be signposted for further support
• Somewhere to report incidents to the police and wait for further assistance
• Somewhere to wait for friends so they are not alone
• A non-judgemental, warm place with a friendly face
All women are welcome for whatever reason.
Westminster CAB
The Licensing Advice Project, provided by Westminster Citizens Advice (WCA) and funded by Westminster City Council (WCC), was set up in 2005.
It is the only service of its kind in the country, and provides advice, information and advocacy to residents and businesses in respect of their rights and responsibilities under relevant licensing legislation.
The need for advice on issues related to LA03 was identified by WCC at the inception of Licensing Act 2003 (LA03). WCC partnered with WCA to provide a service to ensure that its residents and amenity societies could play a full role in the democratic process.
The remit of the Project was subsequently expanded to include Gambling Act 2005 and ‘sexual entertainment venues’.
Typically, the work of the Project involves advice on submission of representations, advice throughout the process, including mediation, and representation at licence hearings.
The Project delivers important benefits to clients, the local authority and the licensing process, helping to ensure that objectors put their views across effectively but proportionately, and focus on relevant issues in written representations and at hearings.
The Project is perhaps most effective when assisting in mediation between parties leading to an agreed settlement or, where this is not possible, advocacy on behalf of residents at licence hearings.
In ‘levelling the playing field’ we help to ensure a fairer licensing process, particularly at hearings, which can result in more robust decision-making.
The Project has a dedicated website. HYPERLINK https://licensingadvice.org/ We also engage with wider issues in licensing law on behalf of residents, for example responding to consultations and helping residents and residents’ groups to engage with consultations at both local and national level.
The Project’s work necessitates fostering links with residents’ groups, responsible authorities, and other important stakeholders, and developing effective working relationships with legal advisors to the hospitality industry. The Project has been referred to as a ‘best practice’ example of good engagement facilitated by a local authority.