Safety hub returns to Nottingham over festive period
A late-night safety hub is returning to Nottingham this December to support people enjoying the city’s night-life.
St John Ambulance medical team have a treatment centre open from 10pm to 5am in the Old Market Square every weekend until the turn of the year, including on New Year’s Eve, to keep people safe and support the night-time economy.
The extra presence has been made possible through funding through the Late-Night Levy (LNL) hosted by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire and the Violence Reduction Partnership.
The scheme is a prevention and early intervention activity which aims to provide a visible trusted point of contact for those at risk, vulnerable or in need of help and advice, as well as ensuring high standards of pre-hospital care can be given to people socialising in the city centre throughout the evening and early hours of the morning.
It will also reduce demand on partners including Nottinghamshire Police, East Midlands Ambulance Service and Nottingham University Hospitals during one of the busiest times of the year.
The Violence Reduction Partnership is Home Office funded and responsible for the strategic leadership and coordination of activity across the City and County to reduce and prevent serious violence using a public health approach. The VRP team is a function of the Nottinghamshire Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner, and Chair of the Violence Reduction Partnership, Gary Godden, said: “Ensuring people feel safe when they are out enjoying Nottingham’s night-time economy is absolutely vital.
“This late-night safety hub provides a highly visible, trusted presence in the city centre, giving reassurance that help is close at hand whenever it’s needed.
“By focusing on early intervention and support, we are helping people enjoy their night out with confidence while also easing pressure on our emergency services.
“My thanks go to the St John volunteers as well as all of the emergency service workers who are on duty over Christmas and serving our communities at one of the busiest times of the year.”
The St John Ambulance teams will offer a variety of support services, including paramedics, nurses, emergency ambulance crew, emergency responders and first-aiders providing care both at the treatment centre and across the city centre, should the need arise.
Qualified medical teams can also provide time-critical help including transfer to hospital and advanced skills, including wound closure and management of life-threatening conditions.
In addition, a safe space treatment facility will be based on Nottingham’s Old Market Square to provide those who are vulnerable with a space to get advice or guidance, treatment for medical conditions and even helpful services like a space to rest and charge their mobile phone, to ensure they can continue their night out safely.
The service has been provided every Friday and Saturday since the start of December and will be out four more times before the new year, on December 19, 20, 27, and on New Year’s Eve.
The purpose of the levy is to create a safer night time economy in Nottingham City. It is managed through the Late Night Levy Steering group which is a multi-agency partnership of local agencies.
Niall Ledger, Interim County Operations Lead at St John Ambulance, said: “We are delighted to provide our support in Nottingham over the festive period.
"Working alongside colleagues at Nottinghamshire Police and East Midlands Ambulance Service to ensure anyone requiring medical assessment and treatment receives prompt and effective care, as well as providing a safe space in the city centre to anyone who needs it.
“I’m grateful for the warm welcome we have received from our partner agencies in the city, and thank our volunteers for providing their time and expertise to ensure that the community of Nottingham can enjoy the festivities safely.”