Southern has teamed up with West Sussex County Council to offer a haven at Horsham railway station for people with learning disabilities. It’s part of a council and Sussex Police initiative – the Safe Place Scheme.
The aim, to help people with learning disabilities who feel they are being bullied, abused or harassed while they are out and about.
The council hopes for network of ‘safe places’, such as restaurants, shops and pubs in the county, and Horsham station is the latest place to offer a refuge to those in distress. Safe places are identified by a sticker which is prominently displayed so people will know where there is a safe place if they feel threatened and need help.
Southern’s Accessibility Manager, Kirsty Monk said: “This scheme helps vulnerable people find assistance when they most need it and we are delighted to sign up to it at Horsham station. We’ll be trialling the scheme with a view to extending it to other Southern stations in the county.”
Peter Catchpole, West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said: “I know how important it is for people with a learning difficulty to integrate into the community but how difficult it can be at the same time. This fantastic scheme, which is already well supported in Horsham by local businesses, should help in providing reassurance to people with learning difficulties.”
People who join the scheme carry a Safe Place identity card. The card will carry that person’s name and the contact number of someone they trust. If they need help while at the station, they will present their ID card to the staff at the station who can offer help. Help is not just for passengers using the station though; anyone who is near the station at the time can use the scheme for help.
