We supported the Leeds Conservatoire Student’s Union (LCSU) at one of their freshers’ events, and acted as a safeguarding presence for those attending and working the evening gig held at Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen.

We attended the LCSU’s freshers’ fair to speak to the student community about The Egalitarian’s Spike Report, Safe Place Project and blog. At the fair we had a stall set up providing information about how to get involved with The Egalitarian community, and chatted with lots of interested students either wanting to contribute as a writer for the blog or hoping to learn more about the work we do.

Following this, we were asked to assist LCSU in making their evening event Belgrave Boogie, held in Leeds City Centre a certified Safe Place. Our experienced and trained team attended as effective allies. Our effective allies provide a safeguarding presence for attendees and staff alike, and the team were able to offer any support needed whilst also being on the lookout for inappropriate and suspicious behaviours. Our effective allies are trained and experienced in identifying, preventing and responding to spiking, sexual violence, hate crimes, domestic violence and other inappropriate behaviours in the night time economy.

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'We've trialled working with different safe space projects in the past for gigs, but The Egalitarian was by far the most engaged, friendly and productive organisation I've ever worked with. Their presence at the freshers gig created a warm, safe atmosphere that I think is otherwise difficult to create at a freshers event, where drinking culture is unfortunately heavily encouraged.'

Andy, Venue Manager

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On arrival at the venue, we identified the safe spaces as well as any CCTV blind spots that make some areas a higher risk for harmful behaviours and incidents. From there we had a chat with LCSU and the Belgrave Music Hall bar staff to determine their protocols should an incident occur and made sure that all members of staff knew to involve us in any incidents. Once the event started the team were proactive throughout the night, checking potential problem areas, being observant of crowds to identify any red flag behaviours and on the lookout for vulnerabilities.

Having chatted with a range of people at the event, from bar staff to bouncers to attendees, it was made clear that our presence was crucial in creating a safe, inclusive and empowering event. No incidents occurred and attendees we spoke to felt at ease knowing that The Egalitarian team were there to keep an eye on things.

Our team follows the key principles within our Safe Place Project training sessions. We empower people to come forward when they feel uncomfortable or have become a victim to a harmful incident, deter perpetrators from acting harmfully or creating further harm, intervene safely in situations to prevent harm or prevent escalation and are experienced in dictating when to involve emergency services.

If you’d like our effective allies to attend your event to create a Safe Place, get in touch. Find out more about the work we do with the education sector here.

'I would love to bring The Egalitarian in for every future freshers gig, to let students know from their first week that the SU is here to support them, and to encourage them to engage with The Egalitarian and the amazing work they offer.'