This article is part of a series of blog articles being published this week in support of World Autism Acceptance Week 2022.
The Safe Places Scheme provides reassurance to people who may feel vulnerable when they go out, helping them to live a more independent lifestyle. Knowing there are safe places in their community offering help if needed, helps people feel safer and more confident going out in their community.
How does the scheme work?
Local shops, businesses and organisation sign up to become a “Safe Place”. A sticker is placed in the window or on a door of a Safe Place, identifying that help is available there.
If you are someone who may feel vulnerable while out, you can sign up to the scheme and get your own Safe Places card to carry with you. The card will show contact details for someone you trust so that a member of staff in a Safe Place can call them if you need help.
As well as calling the trusted contact person on your Safe Places card, members of staff at a Safe Place can:
- Find you somewhere safe to wait and reassure you until the situation is resolved
- Call the police or an ambulance if it is an emergency
Get news and info from your local council – sign-up for email bulletins.
Alwyn Jones, Head of Service for Social Care said, “Safe Places is a National Scheme that Wrexham signed up to a few years ago. We are very lucky to have several Safe Places in Wrexham and we are extremely proud that we were the first county in Wales to adopt the scheme. Hopefully it will continue to grow from strength to strength, giving vital support to those that need it in our community.”
Apply for a Safe Places card
If you wish to use the Safe Places scheme you can fill out the application form. You’ll need to provide some details about yourself, along with the names and phone numbers of up to three trusted contacts (this is someone who can be called when you need help – it could be a family member, carer or friend).
Once you have sent your completed application, our Wrexham Safe Places team will explain how to use the scheme. You will receive a list of Safe Places in Wrexham and the Safe Places card with your chosen contacts numbers on, to carry when you are out and about.
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