THE SAFE Places scheme in Pewsey had its official launch at the Spar Shop to tie in with Dementia Awareness Week.

On Thursday (May 19) members of the local police were joined by members of the Parish Council at the Spar shop in North Street to be part of the official opening of the initiative. Supported by the Area Board, the community engagement programme has been running in the village for a couple of years.

Dawn Wilson, chairman of the Pewsey Community Area Partnership (PCAP), said: “The project has been going for a few years, we picked it up a couple of years ago. The scheme is in 16 market towns, Pewsey is ripe for getting it going. It is a very good project and promotes good neighbourliness and isn’t too onerous.”

The Safe Place scheme offers people a comfortable environment where they will be listened to, reassured, supported and offered time and a safe place to wait. Local businesses and organisations have the chance to sign up to become a Safe Place, places that have signed up display a sticker in the window for the public to see.

Mrs Wilson added: “The aim of this scheme is to identify shops and businesses that can take time to help people in the village. There was actually an incident at the Spar shop where they had a woman come in who couldn’t remember where she lived. Thankfully some people recognised her and were able to take her home.

“It is a case of getting the community involved so the police don’t have to get involved, they would be constrained if they couldn’t deal with it on the spot. The police have gotten a lot better now they have mental health nurses involved.”

The places in Pewsey that are already part of the scheme include the Spar Shop, Absolute Style in River Street, Daisy’s Kitchen in the High Street, Applecart Café in the High street, Pewsey Leisure Centre, Pewsey Library, the Waterfront Bar and Bistro in Pewsey Wharf, Miss Lemons Wool Shop in North Street, the Barbers Shop in River Street and Woodborough Shop.

“We are hoping to speak to some schools, Aster Housing and some other places about the scheme. Slowly but surely we will spread the Safe Places scheme further,” added Mrs Wilson.

If anyone else would like to get involved in the scheme they can email pcap@hotmail.co.uk or visit www.pewseycap.org.uk/safe-places.