A Dungannon group has launched a new project aimed at providing a "safe haven" in the town centre in response to the growing tide of anti-social behaviour in the town.

The Safehaven project is operated by Morph and the charity recently unveiled its plans regarding its weekend night time programme. Located at Unit 7 Thomas Street, Morph opens its premises at 11pm until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights. The project operates a safe place for people to come to, an opportunity to call a taxi and get a free tea or coffee.

Garreth Falls, project manager told the courier: "A number of night time projects occur in various places around the province and following a number of incidents in Dungannon town last year we were consulted regarding launching a project which sought to reduce anti social behaviour and increase Dungannon's reputation as a safe place to visit at night."

The project also entails a volunteers out onto the streets providing a helping hand to people in need, a listening ear to people distressed and Suicide first aid should that be necessary. To date they have provided first aid, escorted people to taxi ranks, helped prevent some anti social behaviour, prevented some street fights and offered help to people over the last number of years decided to launch Safehaven following a consultation with both the CSP and PSNI.

Safehaven, which is part funded by both the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) and supported by PSNI, started as a pilot in September and has gone from strength to strength. In the last few months volunteers grew from seven to 14 with six on the rota for any one evening. Together these volunteers encountered more than 300 individuals. The sheer success of the project now means Morph can formally launch the project to the local community.

One Volunteer, Laura reported back on one of these evenings. She said: "I went out on to the streets at 1am. We first helped one girl vomiting in the street followed by another encounter with a girl who was greatly distressed and needed to get home safely. A few minutes later we met another guy in the middle of the road who was afraid of being attacked and needed an escort to the taxi rank. Next we met two men coming out of the bar who joined the team at he Safehaven vase for a cup of tea and a chat along with another guy who had gone to the base ahead of us. On our way back however, we came across a girl who knocked herself out after falling off the curb. We administered some basic first aid until she regained consciousness and made sure she was okay. There was a quick scuffle between two groups upon our final return to the base which quickly scuffle between two groups and directed them back to the base and way from trouble..."

Cllr Frances Burton said that the project is a welcome addition to the town. "I am delighted as CSP Chair, to see the establishment of the Safehaven project," she said. "This project will provide a hands-on approach in helping to keep young people safe on our streets by offering a range of practical services and assistance weekends."

Inspector Stephen Moneypenny, Sector Commander of Dungannon and South Tyrone said that the work carried out by the volunteers will be invaluable.
"The provision of the facilities at Unit 7 Thomas Street, Dungannon by MORPH is an extremely welcome development and what is much more important is the provision of services by the volunteers and staff there," he said.

"There role fills a void where statutory agencies are unable to assist those who are most vulnerable in our community. The addition of these services provides an additional level of protection and assistance to those who are in need for whatever reason. Their intervention with people of whatever age, who are afraid, intoxicated or just in need of help to get them home or to safety will prevent their exploitation or becoming a victim of crime.

This is a service which some will be most grateful for in the future and I know many are already appreciative of during their pilot over recent months. I would encourage the community to support this extremely worthwhile project and to support their volunteers who will be on our streets when they are needed most."

Morph volunteers are readily recognisable in the streets at night in their Morph jackets with "Safehaven" written on the front and back.

For more information about the Safehaven project please contact Garreth Falls on 028 8772 4074, or at letsmorph@btinternet.com

Source: Tyrone Courier
Date: Wednesday 3 February 2010