Safe Places aims to support vulnerable people to feel safe when they are out and about in Sheffield. If someone needs help, for example they are lost, unwell or frightened, then they can enter the nearest safe place to get help. The Safe Place can provide people with a temporary refuge until help comes.
- Safe Places members are sent a pack containing a Safe Places Card. Members can write the name and phone number of a helper or carer on this card and carry it round with them when they are out in Sheffield. If they need help, they can then enter a Safe Place, explain the problem or show their Keep Safe Card.
- Stickers with the Safe Places logo are placed in the windows of all the registered Safe Places. Safe Places can also be found on the map on the website. The staff or volunteers in Safe Places will assist anyone who goes to them for help.
- Staff will contact the helper on the Keep Safe Card and support the person. They can also help by calling the emergency services if necessary.
- If someone has experienced hostility because of their disability then they may have experienced a hate incident or hate crime. Safe Places can support the person to report this.
The project consists of a network of businesses and organisations across Sheffield who are committed to ensuring the safety and dignity of people who join the national scheme.
The Safe places app has a function called 'Get me to my nearest Safe Place Now' (Panic button) which immediately directs you to the nearest open Safe Place.
If no Safe Place is located within a 15-minute walk it will automatically offer to call the non-emergency 101 number to get help over the phone.
The Apps have now been developed to be ‘Voice Activated’, this means those who may traditionally struggle to use an App or those with visual impairments can be directed to a Safe Place by simply talking to their phones.