Organisations in North Liverpool are uniting to tell residents they are ‘safe to say’ next week as safe reporting centres launch across our Cobalt community
Running from July 3 to 9, ASB Awareness Week 2023, organised by Resolve, the UK’s leading ASB and community safety organisation, aims to encourage communities to take a stand against ASB and highlight the actions that can be taken by those experiencing it.
‘You’re safe to say’ is an ASB project led by Cobalt Housing, launching during ASB Awareness Week, aiming to encourage residents to report ASB to the housing provider. The campaign launches on Saturday 8th July at a community event in Ellergreen Sports Centre, Norris Green.
The event is focused on promoting the reporting of ASB, and aims to increase knowledge about why people either commit crime or ASB, this can be everything from decreased access to services, poverty, lack of opportunity or education.
Recent YouGov research commissioned by Resolve found that almost 1 in 5 people have had to consider moving home because of the impact ASB was having on them; 1 in 10 have actually moved. Despite this, over half of those surveyed who were either a victim or witness of ASB did not report the ASB.
Sharon Edwards, Neighbourhood Manager at Cobalt Housing explains: “We are really proud of our Cobalt neighbourhoods and want them to be thriving communities where people feel safe and choose to live.
“We are working alongside a number of community agencies and partners to create safe reporting spaces where local residents feel safe reporting ASB and/or crime. We are also open to receiving anonymous reports should the person feel that they cannot provide us with their details through fear of repercussions, and although it’s more difficult to manage the case, we can gather data and build up a picture of what’s going on in our communities and work with our partners to combat these issues. The aim is wherever you see this logo locally you know you can report ASB to Cobalt.”
Community partners signed up to the campaign will become reporting safe spaces and Cobalt Housing is also gearing up for the launch of a new ASB app, with which tenants can report ASB digitally, with reports sent directly through to its ASB officers.
The launch event is all will reinforce the campaign messages with free activities, embracing different cultures from within Cobalt’s communities. The day is packed with everything from arts and crafts, Bollywood dancing, Chinese Dragon displays, henna tattooing, face painting and world foods, with DJ Jay, a Makaton DJ providing fun and music accessible for all.
Partners supporting the day include Anthony Walker Foundation, Merseyside Polonia, Merseyside Police and Catch22, who provide direct support for young people and their parents or carers who have felt pressured to become involved in county lines issues and cuckooing. Energy Project Plus will be offering advice to support customers with the cost of living crisis, and the team from The Bridge Community Centre will be on hand to talk about their provision of ESOL courses to local residents and support for residents who experience poor mental health.
For more information on ‘You’re Safe To Say’, please contact Sharon Edwards [email protected].
