WHAT IS A SAFE HAVEN AND WHO IS IT FOR? 

A Safe Haven is a concept aimed at creating greater community safety and well-being, where people work in solidarity to discourage racism, report crime, anti-social behaviour and to offer temporary shelter to anyone in immediate danger. The project allows people who are feeling vulnerable or intimidated to seek support from small businesses or organisations.

WHY DO WE NEED SAFE HAVENS?

After the racist riots last summer, Hastings community members from the Refugee Buddy Project met with Julia Hilton, the leader of the local council (pictured below) who heard testimony from women too scared to leave their homes due to the national violence and threats of far-right groups rioting in Hastings. 

While the peaceful national protests in response to the violence across the UK were positive, as we approach summer 2025, it is vital for people feeling vulnerable due to the racist violence and hateful speech on the rise around the UK and globally that local community support and solidarity is permanently visible. We can't just react to the far right, we need to work together to prevent crises & promote solidarity where we live and work and for the long term.

DO SAFE HAVENS WORK?

The idea of Safe Havens came from the Citizens UK City Safe Campaign in 2009, a response to the tragic deaths of young people due to gang-related violence and enabled youth to be a part of the solution. The relationships built between communities, the council & police while creating Safe Havens were proven to reduce crime and create greater safety, enhancing connectivity and resilience for everyone.

REASONS TO SUPPORT AS A LOCAL BUSINESS OR ORGANISATION

Becoming a Safe Haven ignites a reciprocal exchange of safety from local businesses to the community & vice versa, everyone supports and holds each other. Tackling and preventing racism is valuable for the whole community:

• Safe Haven training strengthens connectivity between diverse local businesses, the community, local organisations and local police
• Creates greater customer loyalty through businesses and organisations committing to taking care of people who are verbally or physically under threat
• Reduces crime for everyone

REASONS TO SUPPORT AS A LOCAL RESIDENT

• Sends a supportive message to people feeling understandably afraid during these distressing times that our community has their backs! 
• Grow a permanent anti-racist culture by igniting important conversations, normalising dialogue around tackling racism and oppression more broadly.

WHERE WILL THE MONEY GO?

We are looking to raise funds to kickstart this initiative in Hastings. We need to cover RBP staff/contractor time for meetings, outreach, Safe Haven training, artwork design by local artist Euan Roberts and the production of a window sticker!

WHAT IS THE TIMELINE?

If you can help us reach our target by 11th April, the work can begin straight away and we can have our handsome stickers in shop windows before August!

CREDITS

Thanks to DV8 College and their brilliant students for supporting us with our crowdfunding video! Also big ups to Jerry Odibi from Mama Putts for his appearance with Euan Roberts and our CEO Rossana Leal.