Severnside Housing sign up to Safe Places, Shropshire

Local Housing Association, Severnside Housing, has signed up to a Shropshire Disability Network initiative called ‘Safe Places Shropshire’.  Safe Places are short-term safe places for vulnerable people.

If a vulnerable person feels threatened or has a crime committed against them, whilst they are out in the community, can go to any registered Safe Place to ask for help and support. Statistics show that vulnerable people are often the victims of crime – as many as 9 out of 10 have had a hate crime committed against them.

Ruby Hartshorn, who is leading on this project, from Shropshire Disability Network, said "Safe Places Shropshire is delighted to welcome Severnside Housing, including their Digital Dens at Castlefields and Meole Brace, as Safe Places. While Shropshire is a relatively safe place to live, this community initiative gives confidence to anyone who is feeling vulnerable, and may need help when they are out, to feel safe and know where they can go to get help. Safe Places recently celebrated its 2nd year anniversary and we are very pleased that Severnside Housing has signed up.”

Safe Places Shropshire is proving a huge success with nearly 200 members already signed up.  Organisations who sign up to the initiative receive specialist training from Shropshire Disability Network and West Mercia Police and are given Safe Place stickers to display in their windows.

Melanie Pilliner, Senior Community Development Officer at Severnside said “Severnside is proud to be part of Safe Places Shropshire.  Our Brassey Road Office and Digital Dens in Castlefields and Meole Brace are signed up as Safe Places so anyone out in the community, who feels vulnerable, can call in to seek our help.”

Photo from left – Paul Forsythe (Head of Neighbourhoods, Severnside Housing), Ruby Hartshorn (Shropshire Disability Network) and Melanie Pilliner (Senior Community Development Officer, Severnside Housing).