About

VigilAuntie is a free app published by the charity Right to Resist, registered in England & Wales number 1201092. The app has been developed under the guidance of Lord John Stevens, former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. Its launch at Newcastle University in September 2025, is led by Em Beattie with volunteers Jasmin, Sofia, Sophie and Sunni, whose support and commitment is hugely appreciated.

Look out for each other, even when you’re apart

Downloading the app and spreading the word about VigilAuntie will not only do good for you and your local community, but for society as a whole. The more active users VigilAuntie has, the less likely it is for an incident to take place through fear of repercussions for perpetrators.

Support VigilAuntie

VigilAuntie relies on donations to provide its services free of charge. All donations, no matter how small, help our mission and are greatly appreciated.

Donate Now

Our People

  • Belinda Speir, Chair and co-founder

    Belinda’s early career in teaching was where her passion to combat bullying began.

    From Northumberland she moved first to Ireland, then to Belgium and on to London, enjoying the opportunities to work with children and help protect the more vulnerable amongst them.

    Returning to Northumberland, Belinda saw an opportunity to tackle bullying on a widespread basis when, in a conversation with app developer Tod, the concept of BullyCam was created.

    As co-founder of Right to Resist, she now devotes most of her time to the charity.

  • Jane Gibson, Trustee

    Jane is a director at Gibson & Co. Solicitors Limited, working in their Newcastle upon Tyne office. She has been a solicitor since qualification in 1994. She has always worked in private practice, first at Allen & Overy (in both their London and Hong Kong offices) for 11 years before joining Gibson & Co. as a partner in 2003.

    Her area of expertise is commercial disputes, including advising on a wide range of problems in connection with financial transactions. This is her first appointment as a trustee and she is keen to see the charity going from strength to strength.

  • Anna Blackett, Trustee

    Anna has lived in rural Northumberland for the last 40 years running her own business. She has always been involved in the local community and has been a trustee of varying organisations including the Community Foundation of Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.

  • Tod Yeadon, Co Founder & Manager

    Tod is a creator of innovative applications.

    In the 1980s he worked in the record industry, licensing music videos for video jukeboxes, cartoons for kids and sports videos for pubs and bars.

    He went on to be the first to run on-screen ads and messaging at Gatwick Airport, live news programmes on Docklands Light Rail and satellite data networks for fuel retailers.

    The idea for a personal safety app came out of a conversation with Belinda; based on Tod's current video inspection app platform, the service now known as BullyCam was built and the rights assigned to the charity named Right to Resist, founded by them both.

  • Lord John Stevens, Patron

    Lord John Stevens came from an aviation family, but a sight defect meant he could not pursue flying professionally (although the defect turned out to be temporary and he later qualified as a pilot).

    But his grandfather had been in the police. Stevens joined the Met as a constable (at the now defunct Tottenham Court Road police station). He moved up the ranks and became asst chief constable in Hants and Cambridgeshire, then chief constable in Northumbria before becoming HM Inspector of Constabulary.

    He was appointed Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in 2000 and retired in January 2005. He headed several high-profile official enquiries. He has investigated anti-terrorism matters on three continents; and lectured at the City University, New York. Ongoing (2005) is his official inquiry into the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi al-Fayed.

  • David Pope, Treasurer

    University of Durham, Chartered fellow of the Securities and Investment Institute. David worked for Brewin Dolphin in the Newcastle office for over a decade. Been involved with volunteering for many years particularly in promoting sports.

  • Em Beattie, Brand Ambassador

    Em is a student at Newcastle University studying Geography. Her passion for social justice and creating safe environments drew her to working for VigilAuntie. Em has developed key marketing skills from various work experiences and internships. She is keen to see the success of Vigil Auntie and the positive impact it will make.