More Safe Places across BCP: what it means for you
If you’ve ever felt a bit uneasy while you’re out and about — or you’ve worried about a friend, a teenager, or an older relative getting stuck, lost, or overwhelmed — there’s some reassuring news from BCP.
BCP Council has announced that there are now 175 Safe Places across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole — one of the highest numbers in the country. That includes 102 Safe Places in Bournemouth, 57 in Poole and 16 in Christchurch.
Safe Places are everyday venues like shops, cafés and community spaces where trained staff can offer support if someone is anxious, scared, lost, or feels they may be at risk.
What is a Safe Place?
A Safe Place is a registered venue that provides a calm, welcoming space when someone needs help. Depending on the situation, staff can:
- Offer reassurance and help someone feel safe
- Help them make a phone call
- Support them to contact a trusted person
- Help them work out how to get home safely
You’ll usually spot a Safe Place because it displays the Safe Places logo in the window.
Who are Safe Places for?
The Safe Places Scheme has been run locally by People First Forum for 16 years, originally supporting people with learning disabilities.
Over the last two years, BCP Council and People First Forum have worked to expand the scheme so Safe Places are available to anyone who might need one — including (but not limited to):
- People with learning disabilities
- People with autism
- People living with dementia
- Young people
- Women and girls
- Older people
- Anyone who feels vulnerable, lost, or in need of reassurance
In other words: it’s about making support easier to find, for everyone.
Why this matters day-to-day
Most of us don’t plan for moments when we feel unsafe — but they happen. It might be:
- A young person who’s missed their bus and doesn’t know what to do
- Someone feeling followed or intimidated on the high street
- An older person who’s become disoriented and can’t find their way
- A visitor who’s lost and needs to contact someone
Having a visible network of Safe Places can make it much easier to take that first step and ask for help.
Councillor Kieron Wilson, BCP Council Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said the scheme is part of building a safer, more supportive area through partnership working, and that the council welcomes more venues joining to make towns safer and more inclusive.
Amanda Frost, Learning Disabled Assistant Manager at People First Forum, said the scheme helps people feel confident to go out, meet friends and enjoy the community — and thanked local businesses for their support.
How to find a Safe Place near you
BCP Council is encouraging residents to look out for Safe Places across the area.
You can also view the map and find out more here:
- Safe Places map (BCP scheme): www.safeplaces.org.uk/member-schemes/bournemouth-christchurch-poole
How local venues can get involved
Local businesses, cafés, hotels and public venues can sign up to become a Safe Place. Participants receive training, resources and a window sticker to show that help is available.
To learn more about the organisation delivering the scheme locally:
- People First Forum: www.peoplefirstforum.co.uk
If you’re a local venue and you’d like to be part of the scheme, it’s a simple way to make a real difference — sometimes just by offering a safe space and a calm response when someone needs it most.
