Safe refuge scheme expands

The NHS, M&S and Lloyds Pharmacies have joined the Safer Places scheme in Stoke-on-Trent, set up to provide safe places in the city centre where people with learning disabilities who feel threatened, bullied or harassed, can go for help.

The city council has worked in collaboration with Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Partnership NHS Trust to introduce the scheme in five local hospitals.  These are:

• Haywood Hospital
• Longton Cottage
• Bradwell Hospital
• Leek Moorlands Hospital
• Cheadle Hospital

The scheme and disability awareness programme will be extended to all health centres in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire.

The city centre based M&S and 16 Lloyds Pharmacies in the area have also joined the scheme.

Launched in 2011, by the council in partnership with other organisations including Staffordshire Police and 21 Co-operative Food stores, the scheme forms part of the council’s Mandate for Change which promotes independent living for people with learning disabilities.

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