The City Council is pleased to announce that the Broadmarsh, Victoria and Mobile Travel centres have signed up to offer ‘Safe Places’ as part of the Nottingham Mencap scheme.
Launched in October 2014, the Smile! Stop Hate Crime programme works in partnership with Nottinghamshire Police, Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue service to provide safe places where vulnerable people – for example those with learning or physical disabilities – can go if they are lost, in trouble, feel unsafe or frightened.
There are currently 30 established safe places within the city with more to be set up in a variety of locations, including 15 City libraries, St. Ann’s Valley Centre, Mary Potter Centre, Central Fire Station, Nottingham Ice Arena and Green’s Windmill. A full list of locations can be found on the Nottingham Mencap website and all registered sites hold the Safe Places sticker in their window.
Pete Mathieson, Head of Public Transport said: “Linking with our Independent Travel Training Scheme, which aims to teach vulnerable children how to travel safely independently, the Safe Places scheme allows us to provide additional support at our travel centres.”
Denise Hickman, Smile! Stop Hate Crime Co-ordinator, added: “We are delighted that the travel centres are coming on board with the Safe Places scheme, as it is a vital part of our work to keep vulnerable adults safe when they are out and about.”
Safe Places service user Mickey Arnold said: “The Safe Places will help me and my friends feel safer when we go out and about round Nottingham. I know I can always get help if I need it.”
The scheme also offers a Safe Place Help Card for vulnerable individuals to use to help communicate with other members of the public with visual images and emergency contact details.
To become a Safe Place or get a Safe Places Help Card please contact Smile! Stop Hate Crime denisehickman@n_mencap.org