Amended: ‘Safe Places’ in Thame are revealed

A Safe Places scheme, aimed at offering places of refuge for vulnerable or threatened people while out and about in Thame and Wheatley, will be launched on May 15, at 10-30 am in the Market Place in Thame.

South Oxfordshire District Council’s Community Safety team is working with Thames Valley Police, Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service, Oxfordshire Family Support Network and local communities to launch the nationally recognised ‘Safe Places’ scheme across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse.

What is a Safe Place?

The Safe Places Scheme aims to help vulnerable people feel confident and safe whilst out and about. If someone is feeling lost, anxious, confused, bullied, abused or harassed they can go to a Safe Place. Safe Places offer support to elderly people, people with dementia, those who may have a physical or learning disability, people with mental health needs or someone who feels unwell.

How does it work?

Safe Places are identified by a nationally recognised logo that will be visible on a sticker in the window of participating shops, community centres and cafes. Cards can be carried by the individual with contact numbers on for family members, adult social care and the police. A ‘Safe Place’ card can be picked up from a Safe Place location or by emailing: communitysafety@southandvale.gov.uk.

What help can be provided?

If you have a Safe Places card, a member of staff can phone your nominated person, whether it be a carer or family member. But, whether you have a Safe Places card or not, you can go into a participating location and ask for assistance and a trained member of staff will be able to help you.

Safe Places in South Oxfordshire

Current local locations signed up in Thame are;  Waitrose, Boots, Thame Town Hall, Esso Garage, BP Garage, AutoParts, Sainsburys, Co-op, Costa, Library. In Wheatley the Safe Places are; Asda, Post Office Wheatley and Moorland Rd Surgery Wheatley.

To find out where the other Safe Places are in South Oxfordshire please see the interactive map on the national Safe Places website HERE

If you are interested in becoming a Safe Place, please email communitysafety@southandvale.gov.uk. Premises will receive a resource pack and free training on how to help vulnerable people.