Safe Places are shops, cafés and other venues where anyone who feels frightened, distressed, disorientated or at risk while they are out and about in Salisbury can go to ask for support and help straight away. There are now a total of 25 Safe Places signed up to the local scheme including: Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury Library, Salisbury Playhouse, Fisherton Mill, A Plan Insurance, Salisbury Journal offices, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Boots and Waterstones. The scheme’s first 24/7 Safe Place is the White Hart Hotel where both daytime and night staff are aware of the scheme and will provide support to anyone who needs help.

Scheme Lead Liz Batten said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Salisbury Reds, Salisbury BID and to have received support from Salisbury Area Board of Wiltshire Council to enable us to refresh and relaunch this local scheme. We all want the same thing – to make Salisbury a safe and supportive place to live, shop and visit.”

Managers of Safe Places are asked to display the Safe Places logo prominently in their window or front door so it is clearly visible. Supplies of the Safe Places stickers and a resource pack explaining the scheme are handed to staff at the Safe Place whenever a new Safe Place joins the scheme.

Originally set up in Salisbury ten years ago, members of Safer and Supportive Salisbury have revamped and relaunched the scheme in 2023, which thanks to funding from Salisbury BID, is now part of the National Safe Places Network. A free downloadable app is available from app stores which will automatically direct users to the nearest open Safe Place. If no Safe Place is located within a 15 minute walk, it will automatically offer to call the non-emergency number 101 to get help over the phone.

Funding from the Salisbury Reds Community Fund has enabled the group to produce a ‘users’ leaflet, available free in public spaces across the city to raise awareness of the scheme. There will also be digital advertising on Salisbury Reds buses to promote the city’s Safe Places.

More Safe Places are welcome and venues in the Salisbury area wishing to sign up to the scheme should be able to provide somewhere comfortable and safe for an individual to sit in a public place. Managers or owners will be asked to train staff as a ‘first line’ level of support to an individual in distress. Suggested training advice is provided as part of a resource pack which includes useful contact numbers to have readily to hand and Safe Places stickers for display. To apply to join the Safe Places scheme, please contact sassalisbury5@gmail.com and representatives of Safer and Supportive Salisbury will call to brief you on the scheme.

Find your local safe place here: https://www.safeplaces.org.uk/member-schemes/wiltshire