Sheffield’s “safe haven” is returning this festive period after receiving vital funding to offer people peace of mind at night.

Safe Square will provide medical and welfare care in the city centre every Saturday in December, including New Year’s Eve, from 10.00pm to 4.30am.

What started as a one-month pilot project in December 2023 has become a focus point for many over the past ten months, and has helped almost 500 people. Despite offering lifesaving medical support on occasions, people come to the safe space to raise concerns, wait for a taxi, charge their phone, or to simply have a cup of tea and a chat.

The South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit has advocated for the Safe Square since its pilot launch and has funded the majority of the project, contributing around £75,000 since last December. They have provided additional short-term funding to allow the Safe Square to operate this Christmas.

Kayleigh Waine, 27, General Manager at Katie O’Brien’s and project manager of Safe Square has worked in the hospitality industry since she was 18.

“I see people who feel uncomfortable, I see the people who are trying to have a good night, and there’s someone who’s not necessarily there to have the same vibe.”

Kayleigh said she thinks social anxiety is at an all-time high, especially as a lot of people going out now were getting to that age around the Covid pandemic.

“All the lights, noise and amount of people can feel really unsettling and overwhelming, and I feel it’s necessary to have a safe haven, somewhere that’s calm, a place to chill out, rather than sitting on a bench by yourself in the cold.”

Currently based in Barker’s Pool, the Safe Square collaborates with many venues and businesses across the city, including South Yorkshire Police, Mediqas Medical Services, and the Sheffield Street Pastors.

Tricia Watts, Coordinator of Sheffield Street Pastors, an independent faith-based organisation, said Sheffield has been the largest city in the UK without a Safe Square up until 12 months ago.

“I think it gives that feeling of security, especially new students coming to Sheffield for university. The clubs like it as well because they can call us on the CCTV. Everybody involved has seen the positive difference it makes.”

Safe Square also has a private ambulance on site and two IPM security guards present at all times.

“It’s one thing that I do really love about this industry, it’s very close knit, and everyone looks after each other”, said Kayleigh.

Ambulance and IPM security team on-site at the Safe Square. Credit: Safe Square  

Dean Lorimer, 38, Director of Operational Services at Mediqas Medical Services, has been involved with the night time economy set up for many years, previously providing medical care inside Code nightclub. He said his favourite part about Safe Square is working together with like-minded people and believes you should treat everyone as your own family.

“We’ve even struck up a bond with some of the homeless people on West Street. They’ll come and have a chat, and we’ll have a laugh and a joke with them. We collaborate with everybody to make Sheffield a safer place.”

Dean started working as a builder but joined St. John’s ambulance service aged 23 after saving his dad’s life using CPR. He believes more men would benefit from reaching out.

Contrary to popular belief, the Safe Square found an even split between men and women seeking support, with 52.4% being male and 47.6% female.

Dean said: “I think men don’t have the support network women have when they go out. Women tend to stick together and look after each other, I think men have an attitude of wanting to look after themselves, but actually they probably can’t.”

Mediqas have attended three stabbing incidents and a pedestrian-car collision, and can often reach people quicker than the ambulance or police. 

“We can deal with the majority of medical emergencies or injuries on site, without having to add an extra strain on A&E and the police,” said Dean.

Kayleigh said Safe Square have saved the police an average of 12% on their shift times.

“Our main goal was never to save the NHS or police money, it was about making the people of Sheffield feel safe in the city centre. That’s just an additional bonus”, she said.

Looking ahead, Kayleigh would like to see a permanent funding model put in place and run for the whole year, including student nights on Wednesdays.

“As a long-term goal, I’d like the project to be bigger than just the few of us that are doing it now, and for there to be enough need that it becomes someone’s job. My ultimate goal is that no city needs anything like it, but you’ve got to be realistic.”

Kayleigh’s petition for the project has received 789 signatures so far. She hopes this support will help secure the financial future of Safe Square when budgets are released in April next year.