Safe Spaces & ASK for ANI Schemes

Safe Spaces

Run by Hestia, the Safe Spaces scheme aims to increase the support available to victims of domestic abuse across the UK by providing dedicated space for people to seek help. The idea is to provide a quiet, confidential space where people can access information on support for domestic abuse. Whether they’re looking to phone a helpline, contact a support service, or talk to a friend or family member, community pharmacies can offer that space.

In response to growing concerns about a rise in domestic abuse during the national Covid-19 lockdown, UK SAYS NO MORE launched Safe Spaces inside HSBC UK and TSB banks, Boots, Superdrug, Morrisons and Well pharmacies, as well as in hundreds of independent pharmacies across the UK.

Humber LPC supports this initiative and welcomes the opportunity to promote the campaign and help support ALL local community pharmacies become a Safe Space.

To register your pharmacy to become a Safe Space please click the link below.

Steps to becoming a Safe Space – UK SAYS NO MORE

Safe Space Locator Poster

Bright Sky App Poster

Additional help and info can be found on the following website: https://helpingsurvivors.org/domestic-violence-and-sexual-abuse/

Ask for ANI

Ask for ANI (Action Needed Immediately) is a codeword scheme developed by the Home Office to provide a discreet way for victims of domestic abuse to signal that they need emergency help from the safety of their local pharmacy.

Local areas are already doing great work to support victims of domestic abuse who may be more isolated and finding it more difficult to access help and support as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The ‘Ask for ANI’ scheme is intended to work alongside and build on existing work and provide an additional tool that can be used to help the most vulnerable victims access emergency support in the community.

Victims of domestic abuse will be able to use the codeword ANI in participating pharmacies (including all Boots stores and participating independent pharmacies) to let staff know that they require an emergency police response or help contacting a helpline or specialist support service.

Participating pharmacies will display posters in their window and around the pharmacy to let customers know that they can approach their staff to seek help. Any information shared will be treated confidentially.

When adopting Ask for ANI, your pharmacy must also deliver Hestia’s UK SAYS NO MORE, Safe Spaces campaign (see section above).

If you’re already taking part in Safe Spaces and would also like to implement, Ask for ANI, please fill out the form on the link below and dual assets will be emailed to you to print and display.

Ask for ANI – UK SAYS NO MORE