‘Innovative’ approach to creating safer community
15 October 2015
Emergency services are joining forces with Cardiff University for a week of activities aimed at making people safer in their community
Safety Week will run from 30 November to 4 December in the Cardiff suburb of Grangetown and will feature events around themes such as road safety and good health.
South Wales Police, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Cardiff Youth Offending Service, Cardiff Council, St John Cymru-Wales and Student Volunteering Cardiff are among those taking part.
The initiative, run in conjunction with Grangetown Community Action, is part of a Cardiff University project called Community Gateway which is building a long-term partnership with residents in Grangetown to make the area an even better place to live.
Numerous events are proposed for Safety Week including a police survey to find out residents’ concerns, schools hosting a firefighter for a day, water safety, first aid training and bicycle repair workshops.
Organisers are even looking into the possibility of closing a road for a short time to allow children to play in the streets.
Mhairi McVicar, Community Gateway project leader, said: “Community safety has been a recurring theme when we have been speaking to residents about issues that concern them.
“Safety Week will be an innovative and engaging way to address this as part of our work with the community.”
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) Station Manager Steve Richards said: “South Wales Fire and Rescue Service will be at the event all week covering issues such as road safety, fire crime unit patrols, water safety awareness and home fire safety. We look forward to seeing our communities there.”
Inspector Tony Williams from South Wales Police said: “Cardiff has a strong tradition of partnership work which helps to keep the city safe and make people feel safe.
“During Grangetown safety week we will be showcasing examples of work being done in the area to create a safe environment.”
Community Gateway is one of the University's five flagship engagement projects, otherwise known as its Transforming Communities programme.
The University is working with Welsh Government and communities in Cardiff, Wales and beyond in areas including health, education and wellbeing.
This includes supporting Cardiff city-region, connecting communities through hyperlocal websites, building community engagement models and helping reduce poverty in sub-Saharan Africa.