Swindon Borough Council wants to introduce a Safe Place Scheme for people with learning disabilities in Swindon town centre. Working with Wiltshire Police and learning disability groups, it hopes to engage with local businesses to offer a temporary safe place for people with learning disabilities using the town who may encounter some difficulties when they are there, eg they may feel unwell or have lost their bearings. A simple card system with carer contact details would enable local businesses to link them with their carer or sign post them safely to their destination.
This scheme works successfully in the West Country and has increased trade in areas where it has been introduced. It will cost about £11,000 to introduce and Swindon Borough Council hopes that businesses will see the benefits of making a one off contribution to the cost of implementing this scheme.
For more information email Ann King at Annking@swindon.gov.uk or phone 01793 548063.