‘Safe spaces’ initiative launched for clubgoers
SCHEME IS IN RESPONSE TO REPORTED RISE IN ‘SPIKINGS’
A NEW “safe spaces” scheme will be launched in Nottingham city centre this weekend amid a rise in spiking reports.
It comes after numerous reports in the city of people getting spiked via their drinks or even being injected while on a night out.
St John’s Ambulance is launching the safe spaces and first aid areas in Nottingham tonight, and tomorrow, alongside Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry.
One of the spaces will be around Old Market Square and other busy areas in town as the scheme aims to put clubgoers at ease while participating in the city’s nightscene.
The initiative is also being carried out in other cities nationwide such as Leeds, in an attempt to make people feel safer when they are out enjoying themselves.
Run by volunteers, it will provide medical help for those who need it, with first aiders available to provide a safe space for people while they wait for their taxi, bus or lift back home.
Mrs Henry told the Post: “We are going to go where the hotspots are.
“We know where the busy spots are in town and it will be a physical refuge should people find themselves in distress or in a pickle.
“But if people need some advice or support it offers trusted, visible figures to talk to and it’s there to keep people safe.”
Jade Quittenton, a community operations manager at St John Ambulance, said: “Our night-time economy programme offers safe treatment spaces where St John Ambulance teams provide medical help for revellers seeking help during a night out.
“Having highly-trained first aiders and healthcare professionals on hand, close to pubs and clubs, means treatment is available when people need it most.
“Our volunteers can care for anyone who’s worse-for-wear, sick or injured, and take people to the Emergency Department if they need that, but we also relieve support on health services by preventing unnecessary hospital admissions.
“More than that, we can signpost to other services, provide some much-needed TLC and – importantly - provide safe spaces for anyone vulnerable to wait for transportation home rather than leaving them waiting on dark streets.”
Our volunteers can care for anyone who’s worse-for-wear, sick or injured. Jade Quittenton, St John’s Ambulance