Awareness

for events and hospitality

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Social safety and building an awareness team

Despite the best intentions of security staff and venue personnel, most visitors do not feel comfortable reporting unwanted behavior while going out or attending events. This is why venues, clubs, events, and festivals increasingly implement active social safety policies, supported by an awareness team of floor angels who act as an approachable point of contact and guardians of the atmosphere. Harm reduction and substance awareness can also be part of this approach.

In this training, I support you with:

Developing a social safety policy that aligns with your culture and values, and communicating it effectively.
Setting up an awareness team consisting of staff members and/or volunteers who help make your venue safer and more inclusive.
Training the awareness team, including team leaders, security staff, bar staff, and floor angels.

Awareness training

In this 2–3 hour training, participants learn what constitutes unwanted behavior, how to recognize and signal it, and how to intervene in a de-escalating way when necessary. We practice these skills through role-play and real-life scenarios.

After this training, your awareness team will be ready to get to work immediately.
I also support awareness team leaders in monitoring and continuously improving the quality of the work.

My experience with awareness work

I have been active in nightlife for over 13 years, from Amsterdam to Cape Town, and from Enschede to Berlin. In addition to working in hospitality and doing awareness work at festivals, I have also organized events and parties myself. Over the years, I have trained a wide range of organizations, including Paradiso, Radion, Draaimolen Festival, and student associations.

Vriendjes & Vriendinnetjes

Together with close friends, I organized Vriendjes & Vriendinnetjes for many years: a queer techno rave hosted in various clubs and outdoor locations in Amsterdam, Utrecht, and beyond. At events with up to 400 visitors, I supported people through a wide range of situations. This is where I learned how to cultivate an awareness culture that makes parties feel like a big family.

Sexmatters Foundation

In 2022 and 2023, I had the opportunity to work with Stichting Sexmatters, delivering social safety trainings for diverse teams.

My trainings are highly personal and tailored to each organization. I value actively thinking along with your organization’s policy development and offering concrete advice. Additionally, my trainings are more affordable, making them accessible to smaller organizations as well.

Miauw Enschede

Miauw was a queer party held approximately six times a year at Metropool in Enschede. When I started as production coordinator in 2018, there was already a social safety policy with a reporting protocol in place—quite unique for Enschede at the time. However, awareness needs to go deeper. I therefore developed an extensive social safety policy and built a team of awareness volunteers, including strong communication lines with Metropool’s security staff.

Metaalkathedraal

Since 2023, I have been working several times a month as an operational production manager and host at events at the Metaalkathedraal in Utrecht. This unique historic venue hosts external events for up to 300 people, such as weddings, strategy days, corporate events, performances, birthdays, and funerals. During events, I maintain oversight and coordinate colleagues. In addition to taking care of facilities and catering, I actively safeguard the atmosphere. When necessary, I use my emergency response (BHV) training to assist visitors who become unwell.

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