Putting safety back into community life in Ardglass

Putting safety back into community life in Ardglass

6 November 2013

A PROSPEROUS, forward looking village free from intimidation, troublemakers and bad publicity. That is the vision of a unique and dedicated group of community workers, aiming to provide a 24 hour lifeline for the vulnerable in Ardglass.

Street Safe is a group of Ardglass teenagers, young adults and parents, who are giving up their time to make sure the elderly in the village are safe and comfortable in their homes.

With over 20 volunteers so far, the group also links with young people in the area whose behaviour may be causing an annoyance.

The aim is to prevent minor issues of anti-social behaviour escalating before the police have to get involved.

One of Street Safe’s founders, Gerard Forward, said they provided a mixture of basic, practical help and a listening ear.

“We would help elderly people ensure they locked their doors and windows at night, turn off electrical devices, see if they have enough fuel, if they need any jobs done, listen to any complaints they may have, for example youths making a noise outside their house,” said Gerard.

“Sometimes it’s just visiting for a chat if they’re alone.

“The Street Safe group are here to help the villagers from old to young in every way possible.”

Gerard stressed they were “not a vigilante group” and aimed to be as professional as possible.

“We have been training in Belfast with the statutory agencies and most in Street Safe are qualified with first aid, police clearance, child protection and mental health awareness,” he said.

“The PSNI support us 100 per cent, they think it is brilliant.”

Working in small groups, Street Safe patrols the streets, checking in with vulnerable residents who have requested a call. Volunteers are asked to give up two to to three hours during the week and at the weekend, and the aim is for the Street Safe phone always to be manned.

Gerard said the volunteers were committed to this massive undertaking long-term, determined the village’s reputation would not be that of an anti-social behaviour and burglary hotspot.

“A lot of the youth in the area have helped get this group up and running and a few of them would have been involved in anti-social behaviour in the past,” he added.

“We think it is a good thing if kids are off the street corner at the weekends.

“If something comes up we understand we have to get the statutory bodies involved but hopefully we can provide a service to the community in some small way.”

Volunteer Caelan Mulhall (18) said the aim was to communicate in a respectful way with young people who were possibly engaged in anti-social behaviour.

“If you went up to young ones letting off bangers, for example, and explain why they shouldn’t be letting them off, they can understand.

“We understand there are guidelines, though, we are not the police, it’s not about telling people off.”

Volunteer Rebecca Smyth (16) said she particularly enjoyed the greater social interaction with older people in the village.

“I work in Milligan’s shop and you see some of them coming in as customers,” she said. “Now you see them as people, some of whom do not have anyone to talk to.

“It is comforting at night for them to have someone to talk to.

Jemma Feenan (15) added: “We love to do it. It’s a good feeling to know you are helping other people.”

Mrs. Rita Rice is a resident whose house is a regular stop-off for Ardglass Street Safe. As well as feeling more secure in her home, she said she enjoyed the company it afforded and the friendships she’d made.

“You feel safer if you have a visit,” she said. “We’ve all got their numbers. “If you are scared they come and see you.

“It’s a big, big improvement, it’s really, really needed. Now you do not have to worry.”

Street Safe can be found on Facebook and contacted by email on streetsafegroup@hotmail.com or on 07716 207679.