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When the Clocks Go Back
Discovery Corner® Podcast Show Notes
Episode 2: When the clocks go back – looking at women’s safety
As the nights draw in, I’m joined by Anne Shaw, OBE, Chief Executive Officer, National Transport Authority (Ireland) and Nick Gazzard, OBE, Founder of the Hollie Gazzard Trust, to talk about women’s safety, on public transport, in daily life and beyond.
We cover the work of the Hollie Gazzard Trust, Hollie’s legacy, the Hollie Guard app, safer transport design, and how cultural change can protect future generations.
Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:
- Women’s safety in winter months: Darker mornings and evenings change women’s behaviours — from altering routes to avoiding activities.
- Hollie Guard App: This is a free personal safety app with over 1 million downloads that lets users set emergency contacts, share live location, and send alerts with a simple shake of their phone.
- Safer transport initiatives: Transport for West Midlands and other partners are working to make public transport safer for women and girls through better design, data collection, lighting, CCTV, and staff training.
Guest information:
- Name: Anne Shaw, OBE, Chief Executive Officer, National Transport Authority (Ireland)
- At the time of release (October 2025), Anne was Executive Director, Transport for West Midlands
- https://www.tfwm.org.uk/who-we-are/what-we-do/safer-travel-partnership/
- Bio: Anne Shaw OBE has worked in local government since the early 90’s pursuing a career in public services where she has been able to make a difference to communities and the places where they live and work.
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Anne joined Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) in 2017 as Director of Network Resilience, where she delivered a unique service keeping residents, businesses and visitors informed of transport disruption helping them to plan journeys and keep moving, and was pivotal in the pioneering work of creating the first Regional Transport Coordination Centre outside of London.
- Anne became Executive Director of TfWM in early 2022.
- Anne was recognised by Every Women in Transport in 2020 for her leadership in the Customer and Passenger award, and more recently in 2023 Anne was awarded an OBE in the Kings Birthday Honours list for her contribution in leading the transport programme for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
- In November 2025, Anne was appointed Chief Executive Officer, National Transport Authority (Ireland)
Guest information:
- Name: Nick Gazzard, OBE, Founder of the Hollie Gazzard Trust
- https://holliegazzard.org/
- Bio: Nick Gazzard set up the Hollie Gazzard Trust following the murder of his daughter Hollie, by a former partner in February 2014. Nick felt strongly that something positive should come out of Hollie’s death. Through his work with the trust, he is determined to try and prevent similar tragedies, by increasing awareness of domestic abuse and stalking and the devastating effect these can have.
- As Founder, Nick is instrumental in the Trust’s development, growing it from a local, Gloucester based charity to one that has impact nationwide.
- In 2021 Nick was given the Prime Minister’s Points of Light award for his work in safeguarding in the community. In 2022 he received a commendation from the Chief Crown Prosecutor for the West Midlands and the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire’s award. Nick was awarded an Honorary Degree by the University of Hartpury in recognition of his dedication to raising awareness and delivering training for the prevention of domestic abuse and stalking. Nick was also awarded an OBE for service to tackling violence against women in the King’s 2025 New Year’s Honours.
Here are some resources and links mentioned:
- 1 in 4 women will be a victim to sexual assault or attempted assault in their lifetimes. (National Audit Office, 2025)
- A 2021 UN Women UK survey indicated that 71% of women of all ages in the UK have experienced sexual harassment in a public space, rising to 86% for those aged 18-24.
- In October 2024, research released by This Girl Can stated that 72% of women in the UK change their outdoor activity routines during winter.
- In addition, one in four (24%) ensure to take well-lit routes, almost a quarter (23%) avoid certain areas altogether and one in five (20%) glance behind them to ensure they’re not being followed.
- Violence against women and girls is the term used to describe different types of violence and abuse that most women and girls face. These include domestic abuse, sexual assault, stalking, harassment and catcalling. Violence against women and girls can happen both on and offline.
- https://hollieguard.com/
- https://www.thisgirlcan.co.uk/news/lets-lift-curfew-demands-change-womens-safety-night
- https://www.vocalgirls.com/content/what-can-we-all-do-for-womens-safety-in-the-winter-months
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/interventions-to-improve-transport-safety-for-women-and-girls/findings-from-the-transport-safety-for-women-and-girls-interventions-scan
- https://askforangela.co.uk/
- https://www.whiteribbon.org.uk
- https://www.suzylamplugh.org/pages/category/national-stalking-helpline
Join me for another journey of discovery…
Claire Melvin is a mindset coach and host of Discovery Corner®, a podcast inspiring women to navigate the twists and triumphs of midlife with confidence. She specialises in helping women in their 40s and 50s break free from burnout, self-doubt, and the “is this it?” moments to rediscover purpose and create a life that truly lights them up.
When she’s not championing women’s transformations, Claire can be found walking along canal paths, enjoying good coffee, or exploring her next creative project.
