We’re proud to share the news that Whitfield Community Centre has officially joined the Derbyshire Safe Place Scheme. You’ll now find the orange-and-yellow Safe Place sign on our door, and what this means that if you’re out and about and you feel anxious, scared, lost, or just need a moment somewhere calm, you can come in and we’ll help.

Safe Places are part of a county-wide network supported by Derbyshire Police, Trading Standards and the Derbyshire Learning Disability Partnership Board, and a wider national network too. The idea is straightforward. Many people can feel vulnerable when they’re out, maybe because of a learning disability, dementia, autism, a physical or mental illness, or just a difficult moment on a hard day. A Safe Place is somewhere they can turn.

So what does that look like at the centre? If someone comes in needing help during our opening hours our volunteers will stay calm, listen, and take them seriously. We’ll offer somewhere to sit and wait, and we’ll contact whoever they need: a family member, an emergency contact from their card, or the emergency services if that’s what’s required.

If you’d like to know more about the scheme, you can pick up a Keep Safe Card or register for one at bit.ly/keepsafecard, and there’s a free Safe Places app on the App Store and Google Play that points you to your nearest Safe Place.