Newcastle, England. Friday night, the bars are packed and the music is blaring.
Reflective pink jackets weave through the crowd. They belong to the volunteers of Women’s Street Watch Newcastle, a group founded in 2021 by Beth Dunn and her partner, Charlie, following the murders of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa.
Every Friday and Saturday, they set up in Bigg Market and help people who have lost sight of their friends, feel disoriented, suspect their drink has been spiked, or need to get home safely. They carry water, first-aid kits, phone chargers, and even free sandals for those who can no longer stand their heels and don’t want to walk barefoot among broken glass.
But their work also exposes them to unpleasant situations. The volunteers have reported being insulted and subjected to sexist remarks while on patrol. Charlie, one of the founders, has said they even face verbal abuse when they are simply trying to help. Charlie also questioned the pressure women feel to always be polite and not set boundaries, while some men think they can behave however they want.
Even so, they continue to take to the streets. One night in June 2026, they helped 59 people, 53 of them women.
Sometimes caring for someone is as simple as walking up and asking: Do you need help? ❤️
