A TOWN Hall has become the latest safe place in North Yorkshire where vulnerable and worried people can seek refuge and get help.

Northallerton Town Council voted to become a safe place after an appeal by the campaign group North Yorkshire Safe Places.They will now be one of 140 places through out the county, including shops, libraries, local authority offices and pharmacies where members can seek help when they are out.

Coordinator Sue Lear attended a meeting of the town council. She said a safe place is where anyone who might need a little bit more help and support when they are out in the community can call in to get assistance. There are already 32 places in Hambleton and 14 in Richmondshire which have signed up to the scheme, backed by the county council, and North Yorkshire police.

Mrs Lear told councillors:”This is basically about being a good citizen, talking to people and seeing what their problems are, maybe making them a cup of tea or a glass of water and helping people to feel safe. Each person has a responder who is their main point of contact.”

People become members of the scheme and carry a keep safe card, possibly also wearing a wrist band. On the card is a number for the call centre who will contact the persons responders to make sure someone who knows them the best can come and take them home. It’s aimed at reassuring people who may have learning difficulties, disabilities, mental health problems, frailty or dementia.

Registered Safe Places display the symbol on their window or door so people who begin to feel anxious or at risk can look out for the symbol and go in to get help. Mrs Lear said they are working to expand the scheme which was launched in May, and plan to approach the Northallerton street angels and other groups for support.

A member of the scheme explained: “Sometimes I have panic attacks and knowing that there are safe places to go helps me to feel confident to get out and about. I think safe places will help many other people to feel confident to keep going out and being independent.”

Mayor of Northallerton, Cllr Claire Palmer proposed that the authority become a safe place which was supported unanimously by the council. Information is available at www.northyorks.gov.uk/safeplaces.