The District Council is seeking to promote two schemes that are designed to provide safe spaces and refuge to those who need it in communities. This is especially important in rural communities and villages like Eynsham.
Business, community groups or local organisation might like to get involved with one of these two schemes:
Ask for Angela
You may have seen stickers in pubs that encourage people to ‘Ask for Angela’. This is a nationally-recognised initiative that enables anyone feeling unsafe, threatened or vulnerable in a social setting to discreetly seek support from venue staff. This could be in a pub, a café or a restaurant.
Safe Places
Safe Places is a network of community locations (such as shops, the library, a café) where people can find help when feeling lost, anxious or vulnerable.
This can be particularly useful for people with learning disabilities, autism, dementia, mental health challenges or other vulnerabilities, but can be used by anyone who needs assistance.
If you’d like to sign up your venue to become a Safe Place, find out more on the website: www.safeplaces.org.uk.
It’s easy to assume that vulnerable people will know where to go for help, but for many people, the options may not be obvious when they feel overwhelmed. Hopefully these schemes will help to make Eynsham a supportive and safe place for all visit, work and live here.