Notice of vacancy - East Grinstead Town Council Ashplats North Ward

The Town Council is closed for the Easter break from 4pm on 28th March and we will reopen on Tuesday 2nd April at 9am. Wishing all a Happy Easter.

Safe Places

15 March 2019

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

A network of Safe Places is due to be launched on Friday 15th March 2019 in East Grinstead. 10.00 am at East Court, College Lane East Grinstead.

The scheme is part of the national network of safe places which identifies good neighbours where anyone feeling vulnerable or unsure can seek some assistance.

Vulnerable people can sign up to the scheme which will issue them a card with their name and an emergency contacts, this card is handed over to the safe place venue who will then make the phone call to the contact to ask that they collect the person. The card also shows the logo for the safe place scheme to help them identify safe place venues.

All those venues involved in the scheme will have to undergo safeguarding training so that they keep the person and themselves safe at all times.

The early adopters are:

  • East Grinstead Town Council at East Court
  • East Grinstead Library
  • Police Hub at Chequer Mead
  • Chequer Mead Arts and Community Centre
  • East Grinstead Fire Station

With more venues coming on stream over the coming weeks and months

Venues are identified by a window sticker or via a free app which will give directions to the nearest safe place.

The Secondary Schools are also looking to enroll the year 7 youngsters from the 2019/20 autumn term so that all youngsters are aware where to get support if they are feeling in a vulnerable situation.

The Scheme has been drawn up by the East Grinstead Town Council Public Services Committee through a working group Chaired by Cllr Liz Bennett who said “our ultimate aim is to have safe places dotted along all the main routes between the schools and town centre through to the residential estates.  We are starting with a small number of venues to ensure that the scheme works well before we expand it, but the hope is to have many safe places in the town.”  The Working group comprised representatives from the Town Council, Sussex Police and Sussex Fire and Rescue Services.

The Council secured funding from the Mid Sussex Partnership (who have a task and finish group for crime and safety) for the registration fee and printing costs.  Once the scheme has been trialed in East Grinstead, through the task and finish group it will be rolled out to the rest of Mid Sussex starting with the other two towns of Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath.

The Window Sticker to appear on the safe place venues and the logo on the card issued to members.