Support provided for party goers late into the night

The Safer Streets welfare hub is changing its hours to provide support later into the night.  The hub, based outside Carlisle train station every Saturday night, will now operate from 9pm to 3am to help anyone who feels vulnerable or unsafe on a night out.

A multi-agency approach brings partners together such as the Constabulary, Carlisle City Council, Cumbria University, and the community groups Street Pastors, to ensure that vulnerable people, women and girls are safe at night by providing a safe place anyone can attend for assistance.

Since April this year, the hub has supported 47 people, offering a range of support such as organising safe travel arrangements for vulnerable women in need, locating a missing person found in the railway station, assisting homeless people, supporting missing young people in foster care and providing basic medical attention, for people with minor head injuries due to falls for example.

The hub forms part of the Safety of Women at Night (SWaN) project, initially funded by a successful bid from Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, to the Home Office’s SWaN Fund for £116,925.

Commenting on the success of the Safer Streets welfare hub, Peter McCall said: “Keeping vulnerable people safe at night is key.

“The multi-agency hub is managed by Carlisle’s Neighbourhood Policing Team with the support of volunteers from Cumbria University who are trained in first aid, conflict resolution and safeguarding.

“Support offered at the hub ranges from providing vulnerable and distressed people with a safe place to wait whilst organising travel arrangements, to assisting with first aid and locating missing persons.

“The hub has recently altered it operating hours to accommodate those out enjoying themselves late into the evening and is also opening on other key dates, where demand for help, support and advice will be high. For example, on Ladies Day at Carlisle Races Monday 1 August.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in delivering this project but most especially the volunteers who give amazing commitment and time for this important work.

“Everyone should be able to enjoy themselves on a night out with the knowledge that, if they feel unsafe or distressed, help and support is available.”

Sergeant Pete Aiston, from the Carlisle Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The welfare hub provides a safe place for people to visit if they feel they need to speak to one of the support agencies available.

“We have been able to intervene in situations which may have escalated and importantly, provide numerous people the support they needed.

“These measures follow the feedback we have received in how we and our partner agencies can help make people feel safer whilst enjoying themselves on nights out. We will continue to do what we can to keep people safe.”

Katrina Love, lead volunteer from Cumbria University comments: “It has been a great opportunity for the students at Cumbria University to donate their time to assist Neighbourhood Policing in keeping woman and girls safe at night.  The skills we have been provided with have enabled us to help those who may become vulnerable late at night. We are out with eyes and ears, ready to listen, offer support and signpost people when necessary.”

More information on becoming a Safer Streets welfare hub volunteer contact: peter.aiston@cumbria.police.uk