A pioneering safe space scheme launches across Cheshire West and Chester

‘You’re Safe Here’, a pioneering safe space accreditation scheme, launches across Cheshire West and Chester today [Wednesday 15 October 2025] following 12 months of investment and training with local businesses.

‘You’re Safe Here’ accreditation ensures venues are suitably equipped with the skills, knowledge, and resources to support vulnerable people if they feel unsafe or have been a victim of crime.

Accredited ‘You’re Safe Here’ staff are trained and issued with guidance on how to manage a variety of often complex situations which they may come across when working; including hate crime, domestic abuse, assaults, or lost children, so that they can protect people from further harm, encourage timely reporting, and signpost to services which can provide longer term help and support.

Accredited venues are clearly identifiable by branded window stickers and other materials issued to them to let customers know they are in a space where they can feel safe and supported.

The scheme was originally developed by LCR Pride Foundation in response to a spate of homophobic hate crimes in Liverpool in 2021 but has since been expanded to cover a broad range of issues. The scheme is designed for everyone, as there are many reasons people can feel unsafe.

It is the first time the initiative has expanded outside of the Liverpool City Region, so that across both areas there have now been more than 1,000 staff from over 100 venues trained.

The scheme managed by LCR Pride Foundation is delivered in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council, the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner, and Cheshire Police as part of their combined commitment to support communities and businesses in the daytime and nighttime economy.

Fifteen venues have received their accreditation in Cheshire West and Chester so far, including Storyhouse, Anderton Boat Lift, Chester Racecourse, Ellesmere Port Library, and Chester Cathedral.

For more information on the scheme visit the website:

Chester & Cheshire West – You're Safe Here.

Free training is available throughout 2025 for any venue or business in the Cheshire West and Chester wishing to join the scheme. 

For more information please visit the website: 

www.youresafehere.info/join

Councillor Stuart Bingham, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Pride and Community Safety, said:

“The Council firmly believes that all places should be safe spaces, and that everyone has a right to feel safe and secure in our borough.  We are proud to support this innovative initiative in conjunction with LCR Pride Foundation and partner agencies; it is a great example of partnership working to make the borough an even safer place for people to live, work and visit.

Amanda Hilton, Chair of the Board of LCR Pride Foundation, said:

“You’re Safe Here has enjoyed immense success in Liverpool, and we look forward to rolling the scheme out further across Cheshire West and Chester.

“It is more than simply an accreditation scheme. Venues that take part show their commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that all their customers can have peace of mind when they visit. After all, everyone deserves to feel safe when they are out and about.”

Suzie Henderson, Creative Director at Storyhouse, one of the first venues to be accredited said:

“At Storyhouse, we are proud to be part of the ‘You’re Safe Here’ initiative. Ensuring that everyone who walks through our doors feels safe, valued, and supported is a core part of our commitment to inclusivity. This accreditation not only equips our team to respond to complex situations but also reinforces that Storyhouse and spaces like it are places where everyone can come together, feel protected, and find the support they need when they need it most.”

Dan Price, Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner said:

“Ensuring there are easily identifiable safe spaces with trained staff, for people to go to in their hour of need is key not only to tackling crime but supporting those who may have witnessed crime or need some additional support.

“Providing this in Cheshire, following the Liverpool City Region model, shows the continued importance of organisations working together to provide the best services for residents in our county. I am proud to have supported and provided funding for this crucial scheme and I look forward to seeing it in practice.”

Superintendent Mike Ankers for Cheshire Police, said:

“Making Cheshire an even safer place to live, visit and stay requires a collective effort. Following the success in the Liverpool City Region, ‘You’re Safe Here’ highlights how through a collaborative effort we can achieve our goal.

“Ensuring we have suitably trained resources and safe spaces for our communities is essential. It creates confidence and promotes reassurance that everyone deserves to feel in Cheshire and we are delighted to be supporting this scheme.”

Full list of venues accredited:

About LCR Pride Foundation

LCR Pride Foundation was established in 2019 with the aim of making the Liverpool City Region the most LGBT+ friendly region in the UK.

The organisation champions the rights of LGBT+ people living in and visiting the region. It fights to highlight the daily barriers they face and create an inclusive culture for all to enjoy and participate in, through a diverse programme of events, initiatives and campaigns.

For more information visit: 

www.lcrpride.co.uk

About You’re Safe Here:

You’re Safe Here is a safe space accreditation that lets customers know that if they feel unsafe or are a victim of a crime that the venue’s staff know how to support them.

Venues that are accredited sign up to the commitment of maintaining 50% of their team trained, displaying materials and promoting a safe environment and inclusion for all their staff and customers.

Originally developed following a spate of Hate Crimes in Liverpool City Centre the scheme has been expanded to cover many more reasons why someone may feel unsafe, which include:

• Disability awareness,
• Domestic Abuse,
• Escaping harm and ‘cuckooing’
• Evidence and reporting
• Getting to a place of safety
• Hate Crime or incident
• Homelessness and rough sleeping
• Intoxication
• Lost children or other vulnerable people
• Mental Health & Self Harm
• Scams and Fraud
• Sexual harassment or assault
• Spiking
• Water Safety

Free training is available to any venue/business in Cheshire West and Chester and Liverpool areas, and can be signed up to at www.youresafehere.info/join

Pictured - Today's launch of You're Safe Here at Storyhouse in Chester.