Mansfield Fire station joins Safe Places scheme for vulnerable people with learning difficulties

The Safe Places Scheme, created by the Nottingham Mencap charity, provides people with learning disabilities who may feel vulnerable, frightened or in trouble with somewhere safe to go.

Keith Jones, Head of Service Delivery for Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The Service is here to help create and maintain safer communities and the Safe Places Scheme fits perfectly with this aim.

“By participating in this scheme, people with learning disabilities might feel a bit more comfortable in the knowledge that they have somewhere welcoming and safe to go if they need it.”

NFRS launched their participation on Tuesday 2nd December with Mansfield, Carlton, Central, and Worksop Fire Stations staff being trained in what to do if a person with learning disabilities uses the station as a safe place.

In the last year, nine out of 10 people with a learning disability have experienced a hate crime which can impact their day to day lives sufficiently.

Under the scheme a vulnerable person carries a Safe Places Help Card with their name and emergency contact details.

If a person needs help when they are in the community, they can show their Help card to a member of staff in a Safe Place. Someone will then call their emergency contact or the Police, Visit http://www.nottinghammencap.org.uk/What-We-Do/safe-places-scheme.html