Unite Students launches UK’s first national Ask for Angela scheme in student housing

• Over 64,000 students across 143 properties in 22 cities, can now access the nationally recognised safety initiative  

• Piloted in Manchester, Birmingham and London, it is now accessible to all university students living with Unite Students 

• All student-facing employees have been trained to spot signs and intervene safely and discreetly 

• Integrated into the Unite Students’ app, used by 46,000 students each month, access to support is even easier 

Unite Students, the UK’s largest provider of student accommodation, has rolled out Ask for Angela, giving more than 64,000 students access to the nationally recognised safety initiative. 

The move marks the first time a UK student accommodation provider has embedded Ask for Angela – originally rolled out in bars, pubs and clubs – into its resident safety and wellbeing services at scale. 

Following pilot programmes in Manchester, Birmingham and London last year, all student-facing Unite Students’ employees have now received specialist training to help them recognise unsafe situations and intervene discreetly and confidently. Staff have been trained to respond discretely if a student ‘asks for Angela’, and how to identify the signs of someone who may be at risk. The scheme is also accessible in Unite Students’ app, used by more than 46,000 students each month. 

Becca Hayhurst, Head of Resident Experience & Wellbeing at Unites Students, said: “Launching Ask for Angela across all our 143 properties in England, Scotland and Wales is a major milestone. Since piloting it in three major cities last year, we’ve spent time refining the training – working closely with Ask for Angela to make it bespoke to our accommodation setting, and integrating it seamlessly with existing services, so it’s embedded in our teams and well-received by residents. 

“Through Ask for Angela training, our student-facing teams can support students in unsafe or vulnerable situations, and they’re equipped to step in and assist calmly, safely and sensitively.” 

Louise Nash, Intervention, Welfare and Conduct Manager for Accommodation Services at University of the Arts London (UAL) said: “This is such an empowering initiative for students, so we’re pleased to be working with Unite Students in rolling it out.  It’s a simple yet trusted way for students to access support if they need it. It also reinforces a culture of safety, care, and shared responsibility within the university and accommodation community.”  

Nick Saunders, Residential Allocations Manager at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “Ask for Angela is a fantastic support service, and for it now to be offered to students who reside in our partner properties with Unite Students is brilliant. The safety and wellbeing of our students is paramount, so to have trained staff who can respond to residents in an appropriate, discreet way is a huge benefit.” 

The rollout has been welcomed by residents and over 100 Unite Students Resident Ambassadors, who have completed the Ask for Angela training. They will promote the initiative at events throughout February.  

Diana, a Unite Students resident in Birmingham, said: “It’s great that Unite Students has decided to launch this nationally. While I already felt safe, having Ask for Angela trialled in our accommodation made me feel even safer. I’m sure others will really appreciate having access to it too.”  

Aleksandra, a Unite Students Resident Ambassador in London, said: “As a Resident Ambassador, I’m proud to support Ask for Angela. The initiative helps create a safer and more supportive environment for our residents. It reassures people that help is always nearby, even in difficult situations.”  

Founded in 2016 and originally designed to support the hospitality sector, the Ask for Angela initiative now operates in over 15,000 UK sites, with 80% reporting fewer incidents and 90% of trained staff feeling more confident in handling difficult situations. 

Iwona Kossek, Director of Ask for Angela, said: “Unite Students’ commitment plays an important role in creating inclusive and secure environments for students across key university cities, helping to ensure social spaces bring people together with safety and confidence at the heart of the student experience. 

“We’re pleased to have supported with the implementation of Ask for Angela across their student accommodation portfolio. Working closely with their teams, we’ve provided guidance and training to ensure the scheme is embedded effectively, supporting safer social spaces and a consistent approach to wellbeing across their properties.”   

Unite Students will review the number of trained employees quarterly and will continue to roll out training for new team members, including Resident Ambassadors, to ensure sustained awareness of the initiative.  

The Ask for Angela initiative sits alongside a variety of support services Unite Students provides or signposts to its residents. More information on these: Support For You | Mental Health & Student Support | Unite Students