Bristol Safe Space

BID Lead
Louisa Briggs
Email Louisa Briggs
Other Projects

Bristol City Centre BID is supporting Avon & Somerset Police to deliver a safe space pilot project in central Bristol.

Project Type
Protecting
Date
December 2024

The Safe Space pilot project will operate for two nights this December in the lead up to the busy Christmas period, providing a safety and wellbeing service until the early hours for those out for the night.

The Safe Space will run between 9pm and 6am on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 December, in a vehicle near the Alcohol Recovery Centre (the ARC). This space will provide a warm and safe location for individuals to use while they wait for friends, family, or transport home. Other services will include someone to talk to, guidance with accessing other safety services, phone charging, crime reporting, and basic first aid.

Staffed by volunteers, the service will focus on wellbeing services dedicated to those who find themselves in need on a night out. The pilot scheme aims to reduce incidents related to Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) and vulnerability at night.

The Safe Space pilot will link with other services in the city centre, inducing Bristol Street Pastors, Hope Against Suicide,  Bristol City Centre Radio Scheme, Operation BRIO, and the Alcohol Recovery Centre (the ARC). Working alongside the ARC, who assist with medical issues relating to drug and alcohol use, the Safe Space will have a particular focus on wellbeing and night time safety.

Staff and security working at night time economy venues and nearby businesses are encouraged to direct vulnerable people to the Safe Space during the weekend of the 6 and 7 December for further support. 

This pilot will assess the need for a more permanent solution to a safe space in Bristol and will inform the progress of this project over the next year.