The boss of a Gloucestershire company has launched a campaign for better safety of lone workers, particularly in the property industry.
Jodie Fraser, managing director of Cheltenham-based Fraser Allen Estate Management, has become an ambassador for the Hollie Gazzard Trust, which was the charity partner of the GloucestershireLive Business Awards 2022.
The charity was set up by the family of hairdresser Hollie Gazzard after she was murdered at her place of work in 2014 by her ex-boyfriend.
In her new role, Ms Fraser will promote the use of the Hollie Guard app, which aims to provide enhanced levels of protection for lone workers, and those travelling alone or commuting.
Ms Fraser said: “I have followed the work of the trust for many years. Hollie’s awful murder isn’t something that you forget, especially so close to home, and when another company that I work with named the trust as their charity of the year, I made contact with Nick Gazzard, CEO, founder and Hollie’s father, to ask how I could help.”
As well as providing education around domestic violence, the trust has developed the Hollie Guard app for smartphones to provide an extra level of protection to anyone who is alone or feels vulnerable. If someone feels in danger, they can shake or tap the app to immediately notifying chosen contacts. The app then pinpoints the person's location and sends audio and video evidence directly to mobile phones.
Fraser Allen Estate Management, which manages blocks of flats and homes in Bristol, the Midlands, and across Gloucestershire, has already started using the app within the business.
“Ensuring our residents feel safe in their homes is the most important aspect of what we do," said Ms Fraser. "When I heard about Hollie Guard, I immediately knew it was something I had to implement within my business to keep myself and my team as safe as possible.”
The paid-for part of the app provides a police-approved 24/7 monitoring and immediate emergency response service with direct access to a dedicated team who can assess a situation and trained in the appropriate escalation process.
"Not only do I strongly believe that this app could save lives, but it will also help retain more professionals in this industry because they will feel supported and valued," added Ms Fraser.
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