'Safe places' scheme to support vulnerable people in the community

A new scheme is giving people with learning disabilities and autism more confidence when going out in the community has been launched across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

Local businesses, shops and public places have signed up to be a Safe Place to offer help, reassurance and guidance to a vulnerable person who is out on their own.

Partners of the initiative have been given a logo to publicly display which signifies their involvement and commitment to helping people in the community.

Brandon Trust, a learning disability charity, is working with the Safe Places scheme to ensure potentially vulnerable people are informed about the help that is now available in the community should they get lost or need help from a potentially intimidating situation.

Brandon Trust project leader Jo Davidson explained: “We are very proud to be working in partnership with Avon and Somerset Police to promote the scheme to the people we support. As well as being signed up to use the scheme, the people we support will be asked when possible to give feedback about any good or bad experiences and what a difference this service has or may make to their lives.”

The initiative is being run by Avon and Somerset Police and is the beginning of a national scheme which all police forces will eventually be involved with.

Brandon Trust was involved in an earlier similar scheme called Safe Havens, which Safe Places has replaced.

For more information please visit: http://www.brandontrust.org/safe-places.aspx