We are delighted to announce we will be launching a safe space on Friday nights in Putney alongside Street Angels in April 2024. The goal of the safe space pilot is to ensure that people of all ages and backgrounds feel safe using the area at night, whether they be a resident or a customer. Through this we would free up business resources, ease pressure on local police and the NHS by creating an area to suit a variety of needs to night time users.
We are reaching out to local people who would be interested in volunteering their time. The team will consist of three groups of four each of which will work a minimum of one night a month. You will be provided with full training which includes subjects such as counselling skills, drug awareness, knowing your community and street safety. All the initial training will be provided on Saturday 16th March from 10am to 5pm being held in Putney (lunch will be provided). Speakers will include Paul Blakey, founder of Street Angels and Joanne Cox-Brown from Night Time Economy Solutions. If people cannot attend that date we will be holding another session later in the year so please sign up so that we know of your interest.
In February 2022, Wandsworth borough undertook an audit of the town centres between 6pm and 6am through a series of night drives. During this audit it became clear that Putney has the most thriving night time economy in the borough, with patrons continuing to use the area long after most of the night time venues have closed. The town centre was notably busy until 4am, despite only one venue still being open until that time. Many young people stayed on the streets buying fast-food and continuing to socialise.
Street Angels Street Angels was launched in Halifax in November 2005 as a response by Churches Together and YMCA in the town to the problems around the nightlife. Violence, sexual assaults, under age and binge drinking meant the town was a no go area for many people. The project went from idea to reality in just over two weeks and had the full support of the town centre’s Police. As the project became a success very quickly representatives from other towns and cities across the UK (and beyond) visited Halifax or spoke to the founder Paul Blakey about Street Angels.
The range of people Street Angels come into contact with varies but they always offer their support: those who find themselves homeless; families and elderly people leaving the cinema and wanting someone to walk with them to their car; young people who have lost contact with friends; those who have drunk too much; those needing low level medical assistance; young ladies needing flip-flops because the high heels are impossible to walk in; young men in need of a lollipop to calm aggression or to help reduce noise as a nightclub empties; or simply those wanting to chat or ask directions. Our Putney Street Angel teams will create a better, safer night-time economy in Putney.
If you are interested in being involved in this project please fill out this very short form.