Southampton Safe Places Network
We are contacting services and businesses in the city, to ask them to join the Southampton Safe Places Network. This is part of the Safe Places National Network.
What is the Safe Places National Network?
Any service or business that registers could act as a temporary refuge when a person is feeling unsafe. The network offers safety for any adult or young person who feels vulnerable while out and about in public.
Vulnerable people can carry a Safe Places card to contain the names and contact numbers of relatives or friends. They can be called for help when the person has reached a safe space. These cards are available in various accessible premises in the city.
The person may also need help with more serious issues. For example, bullying, harassment, or theft, where the police may need to be called.
Welfare Deck bus
The Welfare Deck bus offers a Safe Place in the evening time, when other Safe Places may be closed. The bus is there if you:
- Are feeling unwell or vulnerable
- Want to speak to someone
- Need to charge your phone
- Want a meeting point for a taxi, friends or family
When will the bus be available?
The bus will be in the London Road area during both Solent University's and Southampton University's Freshers' Weeks. It will also be available on some Friday and Saturday nights ahead of Christmas.
For Freshers' or Welcome Weeks, the bus will be available as follows:
| Dates | Finishes at | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 17-Saturday 21 September | 4am, Sunday 21 September | Solent University Freshers' Week |
| Wednesday 24-Saturday 27 September | 4am, Sunday 28 September | Southampton University Freshers' Week |
The bus will be available ahead of Christmas, midnight to 4am, on:
- Saturday 25 October
- Friday 31 October
- Saturday 1 November
- Saturday 29 November
- Saturday 6 December
- Saturday 13 December
- Friday 19 December
- Saturday 20 December
I want to help
Training
You and your staff must watch the training video and download the resources to become a Safe Place. You can access the training resources at Safe Places – Information for Businesses.
Membership
Once you and your staff have completed the training, you can use the form below to register. Let us know how many Safe Place cards and window stickers you need. These help people to identify your premises as a Safe Place.
What happens after I register?
Once registered as member, we will post the window stickers, safe places cards, and support brochures to your premises. We will add you to the Safe Places website map and Safe Places app. People can use these to find a temporary refuge at your location in their time of need.
What else can I do to help?
Please share this information with your colleagues and your wider networks to encourage other local services and businesses to register as a Safe Place. This also helps to raise awareness of the Safe Places network.
What are the benefits of becoming a Safe Place?
Membership can promote a business or venue’s reputation as they become known as a Safe Place. This enhances relations with the community. It also helps Southampton to become a safe and accessible city for all. Read about other businesses who have already signed up to be Safe Places.
Useful services for supporting an individual
We have put together a comprehensive list of support services for Southampton's Safe Places Network. This document:
- Explains how to report a crime
- Contains useful links, resources, and helplines
- Describes the support services available for varying needs
View support services for Southampton's Safe Places Network.
UK SAYS NO MORE
UK SAYS NO MORE has advice, tools, and information on how to support people who may be dealing with domestic abuse and sexual violence. This advice can also be applied to other sensitive issues, such as someone seeking refuge because of public sexual harassment or stalking.
Find out more at UK SAYS NO MORE.
Southampton Mencap
For local support for children, young people, and adults with a learning disability and their family carers, see Southampton Mencap. Southampton Mencap is a voluntary organisation based in Portswood. They work to raise awareness of the rights of these groups and provide a range of services.
Find out more about Southampton Mencap.
Register as a Safe Place
Before you fill in this form
You will not be able to save this form to complete later, so please allow yourself several minutes to fill in the form.
I still have questions
Email us at safeplace@southampton.gov.uk.
