Local Services – Isle of Wight

Safe Places are shops, businesses or public buildings where adults with learning disabilities can go to get advice and help if they feel vulnerable or unsafe.  Adults with learning disabilities are sometimes singled out when socialising and are then open to being exploited, made fun of or intimidated. Each venue will have a sticker prominently displayed in their window, and there is also a Safe Places app, which can be downloaded onto a mobile phone and will show the nearest available ‘Safe Place’ when out and about. The O2 shop in Newport have offered to help anyone download the app. Each Safe Place will be at a trusted location where people can feel safe to ask for assistance. The target audience is people with learning disability, but as part of our training we ask all our Safe Places to help anybody, no diagnosis necessary.

To access the list of IOW Safe Places, please click here.

To download the Safe Places App, please click here.

The Safe Places Scheme is a National initiative, and the Isle of Wight launched it’s first Safe Place in November 2019 at County Hall, Newport. Any agency or business on the Island can apply to be a ‘Safe Place’ – free training will be provided, as well as free membership and resources. If you would like more information about becoming a Safe Place, please contact People Matter IW on 01983 241494 and ask for the project coordinator.

Protecting Yourself, Family and Friends from Scams

The IOW Trading Standards Service has joined forces with the Police, Fire and Rescue, Age Friendly Island and Citizens Advice Bureau to form a partnership called IWASP. IWASP is an acronym for Isle of Wight Against Scams Partnership.

Under the Charter all of these organisations will work together to better protect people on the Isle of Wight from scams, doorstep crime and fraud and to support victims. IWASP doesn’t intend to stop there though, we hope to increase our partnership providing on-going support and information from a wide range of organisations and agencies. Their website contains information about current scams on the Isle of Wight, gives information about how to protect yourself, family and friends from scams, and also contains phone numbers for advice lines if you need to speak to someone. Click Here.

Call Freephone 0808 801 0327 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm or email info@mensadviceline.org.uk

Confidential Helpline for men experiencing domestic violence from a partner or ex-partner (or from other family members) We help by:

• Giving you time to tell your story
• offering emotional support
• providing practicial advice
• signposting you to other services for specialist help

Phone Number: 0808 2000 247 (FREE) Call any time day or night

Provide support to those who have experienced violence and abuse. Run specialist services to help survivor’s access to safety and rebuild thei lives.

A wesite to help children and young people to understand domestic abuse and how to take positive action if it’s happening to you. Also contains an adult page which gives information to adults about domestic violence and the effect it has on children.