Leeds Festival is one of the 103 festivals that has committed to the campaign.
1 in 5 festival-goers experience sexual assault or harassment at a UK festival. That's according to a 2018 YouGov report. Whilst this is what is called a lifetime statistic that isn't connected event or year- and shows that we need to do so much more to tackle sexual harassment and violence at festivals.
This year, festivals across the UK are hoping to change this, including Reading and Leeds Festival, Bluedot, Dot to Dot, Kendal Calling, Latitude, NASS, Parklife, Tramlines and Y Not? Festival.
The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) announced this morning that over 100 festivals across the UK has signed up to commit to the Safer Spaces at Festivals campaign.
Image: Leeds Festival
The idea is that the campaign will tackle sexual violence at 2022 festivals and beyond. Relaunching from today, the AIF is working with Rape Crisis England And Wales, Good Night Out, Safe Gigs For Women, Girls Against and UN Women and has updated an charter of best practice developed with input and guidance from experts, which all festivals participating have committed to following.
A statement made by the AIF states that an important part of the charter is that it "states all allegations of sexual harassment, assault and violence will be taken seriously, acted upon promptly and investigated. This will be supplemented by a commitment to clear, robust reporting and disclosure procedures, including how to report incidents onsite and post event".
Training will also be given to staff and volunteers on how they can proactively monitor and deal with incidents of sexual assault or harassment by specialist providers.
Part of the campaign will see an update in festival policies to include all the relevant health guidance, promote the idea that consent can be revoked at any time and advise festival-goers on how to be an 'active bystander' by using a tactic known as the '5 D's of Bystander Intervention devised by the Right To Be' which include: Direct, Delegate, Distract, Document and Delay.
Image: AIF
AIF Membership & Operations Coordinator Phoebe Rodwell said: “The original Safer Spaces campaign has had a positive impact across festivals for music fans and festival staff alike. Festivals are microcosms of society and sexual violence is a problem that persists in our society.
"Our understanding and approaches to tackling the issue are evolving all the time. That’s why it’s important that we renew the Safer Spaces campaign in 2022 with up-to-date messaging, resources and practices, to prevent sexual violence and promote a survivor-led approach, helping festival organisers to fulfil their duty of care at events.”
Norfolk-based jewellery brand Lisa Angel is opening their first Yorkshire site right here in Leeds.
Jewellery and trinket lovers, this one's for you.
Lisa Angel, a female-founded jewellery and gifting brand will open the doors to its new store in Victoria Gate next month.
Shoppers can expect a wonderful range of jewellery, gifts, and accessories that have established a loyal following during more than twenty years of business.
Founded in 2004 by Lisa hand making jewellery which she sold at craft fairs local to her Norfolk home, the business has only gone from strength to strength since.
Image: Supplied
The brand is now a recognised part of the British high street landscape, boasting seven other stores across Norfolk, Suffolk, and the Midlands.
After opening two stores last year and three stores in 2024, Lisa Angel’s founder and Creative Director, Lisa, said: “As an independent retailer, we are thrilled to launch in a destination with such a reputation as Victoria Leeds.
"We believe retail should remain grounded in inspiration and discovery, and we look forward to bringing just that to the vibrant city of Leeds, in our first store in the north.”
Managing Director James Moody explained the significance to the business of opening a new store in a city as influential as Leeds: “We're incredibly excited to be opening our first northern showcase store in such a prestigious location.
"Victoria Leeds represents exactly the kind of vibrant retail destination where we can bring the full Lisa Angel experience to new customers. This is a significant milestone for us as we continue to grow our retail presence."
We'll keep you up to date when we know an opening date, but for now you can check out what to expect here.
Yorkshire residents are being invited to name two new bin lorries
Clementine Hall
Well...this is a new one.
Ever fancied naming a bin lorry? Well today is your lucky day, because now you can.
Yorkshire-based waste management experts Divert are celebrating the arrival of two swanky new tbin rucks by inviting the local community to help name them.
The iconic purple bins, vans and trucks can be seen across the Yorkshire area helping to clean up waste from Bradford to Harrogate.
Two new lorries are set to be joining the fleet in April and May, and of course they need a name.
And who better to ask than the general public? The winning names will be added to the cabs of each of the trucks for all to see, and announced via the Divert website and social media channels.
Absolutely anyone from across the UK is welcome to take part, but the company are especially keen for people from Yorkshire to enter.
You can be as creative as you like, but there are a couple of rules...
No swearing or offensive names. Aside from that, you can let your freak flag fly.
The Divert team are keen to hear the 'best celebrity puns, local namesakes, and downright silly names' the public have to offer.
John Verity, Managing Director of Divert, comments: “Naming our bin trucks is a great way to bring some joy to the local community. We hope to bring a smile to the faces of passing drivers and pedestrians as our fleet passes by.
“Not only that, naming our lorries can help our drivers to take pride and ownership in the vehicles they drive and be a key reminder of our engagement within the community. We’re always keen to employ any initiatives that help the public to engage with us and ensure we’re seen as a friendly face in the area.”
Winners will be voted for by the team internally, and the competition closes at 5 pm on 31 March 2026.
Sophie Smith -
16th May 2022 
