A SCHEME which offers locals a safe place when they’re feeling vulnerable while out and about has been decommissioned by Barnsley Council.
Barnsley Safe Places, a scheme which was launched during lockdown, is run by charity Cloverleaf Advocacy and set up in the town with help from the council.
Participating businesses displayed a Safe Places window sticker, this signifies the business will welcome anyone feeling vulnerable and will help them contact a family member or carer to come and help, and allow them to stay there until they feel better.
Almost 100 venues had signed up to the scheme - but it has been announced that Barnsley Council had decommissioned the scheme, with effect from last Monday.
A spokesperson for Barnsley Safe Places said: “We have had a great time running the scheme and made some friends along the way.
“We are also very proud to have had the first ‘pop up’ Safe Place in the country at Barnsley Pride for the last two years.
“This decision has only been made very recently and we have been visiting venues up until a few weeks ago, refreshing leaflets and checking venues were happy to continue as part of the scheme.
“Whilst the scheme itself may have finished, the fabulous 88 venues across Barnsley are still open, and still offering the same friendly and helpful welcome to you as they always have.
“We know they are all great places to visit, and many are small businesses who need and value your support.
“We want to say a heartfelt thank you to every single venue for being safe places in Barnsley.”
The council confirmed the service has been decommisioned but they will still work to support residents in need.
Coun Wendy Cain, cabinet spokesperson for public health and communities, told the Chronicle: “The council remains fully committed to support anyone who is feeling unsafe and who can benefit from the Safe Places scheme.
“Though our contract with this particular organisation has come to an end, work to support residents in Barnsley is continuing, and we will continue to work with partners and residents to improve this further, developing a broader strategy of support for those who need it, including people with disabilities, mental health problems, older people, victims of violence and crime and many others.”
