01.

WE ARE GUARDIANS
WE DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY

ABOUT US

​

We are one of the United Kingdom's leading specialist safeguarding service providers working in partnership with Gloucestershire Constabulary and Cheltenham Borough Council in Cheltenham's night-time economy.

​

Our primary and priority function is to ensure the safety and security of women in the night-time economy. We deliver this through our hugely successful flagship safeguarding initiative the India Protocol every Saturday night and Sunday morning between between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. Our wider remit extends to the provision of general safeguarding and welfare services and emergency services support.

​

Since our launch in 2015 our award-winning, experienced team of specialist safeguarding officers have ensured the safety of thousands of women and have saved the community, the emergency services, the NHS and the criminal justice system over £1million and thousands of operational duty hours. Today in 2021 we are an integral and essential component in the policing and care provision in Cheltenham's night-time economy.

INDIA PROTOCOL

The Cheltenham Guardians Safeguarding Team are specialists in safeguarding for women. Our organisation has been built around the India Protocol, the safeguarding of women in the Cheltenham night-time economy environment. The India Protocol is heavily prioritised within our service delivery by our (nearly) all-female team.

The India Protocol is our core mission and the most innovative and successful NTE women-focused safeguarding system in the United Kingdom today. Created after the rape and murder of India Chipchase in Northampton in 2016 the India Protocol has redefined proactive and dynamic care within Cheltenham's busy night-time economy environment.

SAFEGUARDING 360

​

Beyond the India Protocol we offer a broad safeguarding and welfare service for all members of the community.

​

We deal with 'all-risk' situations. From the most simple service user assistance to high-risk incidents, the Cheltenham Guardians Safeguarding Team are equipped to deliver robust care, compassion and solutions into Cheltenham's night-time economy.

We pride ourselves in attaining a 'total resolution' in each and every incident we attend or situation that we deal with. Once a service user is in our care we ensure that they remain safe and secure until we have resolved whatever the emergency is. Every time, all the time.

​

​

PRE-PARAMEDIC CARE

​

Whilst our primary function in the evening and night-time economy is the safeguarding and welfare of women we are also equipped to respond to medical emergencies.

​

Our vehicle is exempt from traffic regulation orders in the town centre which means we can traverse pedestrianised or restricted areas quickly in order to reach the patient. Our average response time to a medical emergency or incident is 126 seconds.

​

Upon arrival at the emergency we will secure the patient and the scene surrounding the patient, ensuring a safe and sterile area for ourselves and paramedics to work.

​

Prior to the arrival of paramedics we will provide immediate aid to the patient whilst liaising with the ambulance service emergency medical dispatcher so that attending crews are kept up-to-date with the condition of the patient and the environment.

​

Upon arrival of the paramedics we will hand over the patient to them along with any relevant new information. Depending on the circumstances we may remain with the paramedics until the patient is either taken to hospital or discharged at the scene back into our care.

POLICE PARTNERSHIP

​

Our enduring partnership with Gloucestershire Constabulary is one based on a shared vision of a safer night-time economy for all. Both police and Guardians work closely together in order to ensure patrons of the NTE can enjoy themselves in a safe environment.

​

We help to keep the police 'policing' by dealing with intoxicated individuals, concerns for welfare and many other incidents that do not necessarily require a police response. Should we need to escalate an incident to the police we can do so via a shared radio with dedicated 'night safe' officers ensuring a swift response.

​

The former Assistant Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Constabulary said: "Cheltenham Guardians take supporting the police and the community to another level".

We are proud to support the police and their important work in Cheltenham's night-time economy.

​

​

SHE-SAFETY

​

You are a Queen. You know so because your friends tell you so. That and you've got immense sass, swagger and sparkle. On a girls night out it's you that keeps the she-team together. You are Mother Hen and the girls love you for this. You have their backs.

​

We love you too. By keeping the flock safe you are saving us a LOT of work. Most of our service users are lone females who have become separated from their group, often without their phone or handbag and often in a state of intoxication and distress. These young ladies are the most vulnerable demographic in the night-time economy.

​

We urge all who go out as a group to stay as a group. As the she-pack you are awesome and there is strength in numbers, but as Queen you know this. Thank you for what you do. Thank you for keeping your friends safe.

​

Our team of female specialist safeguarding officers are amongst the most capable and experienced dynamic, proactive and reactive specialist responders in the United Kingdom.

​

Our ability to respond to a wide range of incidents and emergencies within the NTE environment makes us a valuable asset to the community we proudly serve and an important strategic partner to the police and the local authority.

Delivering an unrivalled service we are an essential component in the policing and care provision in Cheltenham's evening and night-time economy.

​

Terry Howard

Founder and Operations Director

Cheltenham Guardians Safeguarding Team

​

        @GuardiansChief

Contact the Team

Contact with the duty team outside of operational hours is limited. The CGST are all volunteers with regular day jobs and non-CGST commitments. This means that we will not be in a position to respond to you immediately. Exception: Queries from police will receive an immediate response.

​

If you email us at contact@cheltenhamguardians.org (or use the contact form below) we will do our best to respond to you within 72 hours.

​

Calls made to 01242 350 330 or 07473 231741 will not be answered outside of operational hours. Please only use these numbers if you need assistance from the team on a Saturday night / Sunday morning between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. You will receive an immediate response during these times. Please do not use these numbers for general enquiries.

Messages sent to us via our social media platforms may not be seen immediately as our social media is not monitored 24/7. Please allow up to 5 days for a response. Please do not request assistance via these platforms.

​

In an emergency please call 999.