What is a Safe Space or Safe Haven?
Stride Safe Spaces and Safe Havens are welcoming, quiet and comfortable places in the community. Safe Spaces/Havens provide the space for people experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings or emotional distress to access support when they need it, in a calm and caring environment.
They are a collaborative and innovative concept that works for the local community they are situated in. The spaces and support available have been designed in partnership with people who have been through tough times themselves and understand what does and doesn’t work.
Safe Spaces and Safe Havens Locations
Stride’s Safe Havens/Spaces are growing and evolving through an ongoing process of co-creation with local communities. Safe Spaces and Safe Havens have now opened in Blacktown and Wollongong in NSW, Belconnen in the ACT and Caboolture in QLD.
Safe Haven
Wollongong
Open 2 pm to 10 pm
from Wednesday to Saturday at
55 Urunga Parade, Wollongong NSW
Safe Space
Blacktown
Open 3 pm to 9 pm
from Wednesday to Saturday at
24 Panorama Parade, Blacktown NSW
Safe Haven
Belconnen
Open 3 pm to 10 pm from
Tuesday to Saturday at
56 Lathlain Place, Belconnen ACT
Safe Space
Caboolture
Open 5 pm to 9 pm from
Monday to Friday and 10 am to 2 pm Weekends and Public Holidays at
24 George Street, Caboolture QLD
Access Pathways for Safe Spaces and Safe Havens
One of the key features of Stride’s Safe Spaces and Safe Havens is accessibility to the community. There is no referral or diagnosis required to visit, and any person can use the spaces. Guests can call to make an appointment or just walk right in and receive support.
They will be greeted by a Peer Worker or person with lived experience. All services provided at Stride are committed to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, and sexuality, every visitor is welcomed on their own terms.
The Stride Safe Spaces/Havens experience
The Stride Safe Spaces/Havens experience is guest-led. This means that each guest is supported to choose supports and follow up based on their own preferences and recovery needs.
Follow-up support can be provided to guests the following day via phone call. Peer support workers may also facilitate referral or engagement with other health professionals and community services or invite guests to return to the Safe Spaces/Havens for ongoing support.
If you or someone you care about needs support, you can visit us on the above days. Alternatively, if you or someone you know need support outside of these hours or crisis support, call Lifeline on 13-11-14.
Testimonials:
Safe Space Blacktown is funded by the Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WSPHN)
Safe Spaces & Safe Havens FAQs:
A Stride Safe Space and Safe Haven are welcoming, quiet, and comfortable places in the community for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or tough times to access support in a calm and caring environment.
Any person can use a Safe Space or Safe Haven. There is no referral or diagnosis required, and guests are welcomed on their own terms.
Guests can receive supports from a Peer Worker or person with lived experience, who works with individuals to understand their preferences and recovery needs. Our Safe Spaces offer guests the opportunity to utilise sensory items, a variety of private rooms/spaces and tea and coffee facilities during their visit. Follow-up support via phone call may also be provided.
Stride’s Safe Spaces and Safe Havens are located in Blacktown and Wollongong in NSW, Belconnen in the ACT, and Caboolture in QLD. Specific addresses and operating hours can be found on the Stride website.
Guests can visit a Safe Space or Safe Haven on the specified days and times. Alternatively, for support outside of these hours or crisis support, they can call Lifeline on 13-11-14.
Guests have described the Safe Space as an alternative to the emergency department (ED), where they can hold space quietly and get help without the long waits. They appreciate the opportunity to talk to someone who has been through similar experiences.