Safe havens will help the vulnerable in Odiham (From Basingstoke Gazette)
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Safe havens will help the vulnerable in Odiham
7:00pm Friday 22nd March 2013 in Local By Chris Gregory
SAFE havens have been created in Odiham for people who are trying to regain their independence.
The Safe Places Scheme was launched at Byways, in High Street, the supported housing charity for people with learning difficulties.
Under the scheme, people with memory problems or learning difficulties will carry around with them a card with their name and phone numbers of two trusted adults.
Shops, businesses and community organisations can become a Safe Place, and bear the scheme’s logo on their door or window.
A vulnerable person, if they are feeling harassed, scared or lost, can go into the Safe Place and stay until they feel safe and have someone collect them.
The scheme, pioneered by Hampshire County council, has been launched in the district with the help of the Safer Hart Partnership and Hart Voluntary Action.
Megan Ravenhill, projects officer at Hart Voluntary Action, said: “We know that many of Hart’s shops and local businesses would do this automatically without a second thought.
“However, by creating a visible network of safe places it has a placebo effect of making vulnerable people feel safer.”
The village has six designated Safe Places – Lloyds Chemist, The Co-op, Odiham Cottage Hospital shop, P&K Electrical and Hardware and Odiham Dental Care, all in High Street, and Odiham Health Centre, in Palace Gate.
