Hastings Safe Space: what have we been doing?

The NSMC has been operating the Hastings Safe Space service since late 2017 and we thought it would be useful if we told you something about what the service has achieved.  This service is designed to support young people using the night-time economy in the town on a Saturday night.

Over the last year, we have welcomed nearly 800 users through our door for a whole number of reasons. Some of these reasons are simple - things like phone charging and needing the toilet - while others are more serious. Overall, we have helped nearly 400 users with a significant problem such as needing first aid or getting home safely after a night out. The majority of first aid support is provided to users suffering moderate to severe alcohol intoxication, often coupled with substance abuse. Sadly, we have also had to attend to a number of stabbings in the town.

Some of our users present with complex challenges that our beyond our scope to support. As a result, we have signposted over 80 users to other specialist support services in the town. 

As well as helping the users, Safe Space has had tangible benefits for the NHS - over 100 ambulance call outs and A&E visits have been avoided, relieving pressure on these hard-pressed services. The service has also taken pressure of the police.

We look forward to continuing to support the people of Hastings over the coming months and say a big thank you to our wonderful team of volunteers, first aiders and security staff who turn out every week without fail. We are also grateful for the support we receive from many local organisations such as the police, Hastings Street Pastors and bar door security teams, as well as our funders: Hastings & Rother NHS CCG.