A SCHEME to help protect people with dementia in Malmesbury is to officially launch on June 27.

Safe Places is a county-wide initiative to provide a network of easily identifiable safe place in Wiltshire towns.

These are places where someone suddenly in need of help when they are out and about can go to receive support.

The launch of Safe Places in the Malmesbury area is taking place on 27 June between 10am-12pm at the Market Cross, Malmesbury and people from the town and surrounding villages are being invited to learn more.

The locations are generally public buildings, shop, pubs, hotels and cafes and can be spotted quickly by the round orange sticker next to their entrance door.

Inside, the staff will provide a seat, listen to your concerns and make a telephone call for you. They will phone a spouse, friend or carer, Police, or an ambulance depending on the situation.

Anyone who suddenly feels distressed or ill can use the scheme, but it is anticipated that the majority of those helped will be older people, those with dementia, learning disabilities and autism.

Some vulnerable adults choose to carry an ICE (In Case of Emergency) card, which they can show to a helper.

This provides vital information such as name and emergency contact number.

There are many different alert cards about, but it is not necessary to have an ICE card in order to use the Safe Places scheme.

The Malmesbury scheme has been set up by a steering group, working with Wiltshire Police and Wiltshire Safe Places Implementation Group, supported by the Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner.

The scheme has been well received by a wide variety of premises in and around Malmesbury including: The Old Bell Hotel, HJ Knee Ltd, Malmesbury Abbey, Malmesbury United Reform Church, The Activity Zone, Jackdaws Café, Lumley Garden & Pet Supplies, Tolsey Surgery, Sherston PO & Shop, Luckington Shop, Great Somerford Shop, Minety Classic Windows, Vale of White Horse pub Minety, Three Crowns Brinkworth, Volunteer Great Somerford, Little Somerford Arms, White Hart, Oaksey; Wheatsheaf, Crudwell; Horse and Groom, Charlton; The Old Royal Ship, Luckington; Radnor Arms, Corston; Red Bull Inn, Malmesbury; and the Vine Tree, Norton.

For further information about the Malmesbury and villages schemes contact Wiltshire Council’s Community Area Manager for Malmesbury, Miranda Gilmour at miranda.gilmour@wiltshire.gov.uk or 01672 515742.