A NEW scheme to aid vulnerable people at the Cwmbran Centre has officially launched.

‘Safe Places’ enables support for vulnerable people whilst they are out and if they feel at risk, scared, bullied or harassed while there.

The Torfaen-based scheme offers a ‘Safe Places’ for them to go to seek help and ask for a contact to be made.

Window stickers will be a visible reminder and will appear in shops, community centres and libraries.

Once a vulnerable person has joined the scheme they will receive an ‘in case of emergency’ card or ‘I.C.E’,

The card provides a space for the user to write their name together with two emergency contact names and numbers.

A card is not a necessity and help can still be acquired from a ‘Safe Place’.

Staff will be ready to help and assist anyone who goes to them for help and will create a temporary safe haven for them while a call is made to an emergency contact.

Gwent Police’s community support officer Pauline Lohfink said: “Safe Places can only be a benefit to Cwmbran town centre and the people it serves.

“It will really help the more vulnerable people on the town with the shops taking a prominent role in supporting and assisting them in times of stress and worry.

“It really is a great idea and the members of Torfaen People First should be congratulated.”

Cllr Richard Clark, executive member for health, adult services and wellbeing, said: “The council is committed to working with partners to ensure that there are support services available for vulnerable residents in their community and this is an excellent example of public and private sectors working together to achieve this in Torfaen.”

The scheme is supported by Torfaen People First, Gwent Police, Torfaen Council, Cwmbran Centre and traders.

For more information regarding ‘Safe Places’ and how to become one, contact Jim Wright, Adult Social Care at jim.wright@torfaen.gov.uk or telephone 01495 742987.