Safe Space update for the Arcadian and Gay Village venues - changes to service
Dear Arcadian and Gay Village venue / businesses,
Since 2019, there has been a 'Safe Space' delivered by St John's Ambulance, based in the Arcadian on Saturday nights and at other key times. This has provided urgent health assistance and welfare advice to anyone who needed it. The Safe Space is funded by NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC).
As the Night-Time Economy (NTE) continues to evolve in Birmingham, we have been reviewing where the Safe Spaces should now be based to respond to local demand and effectively support those that need it. The nature of the NTE venues in the Arcadian has been changing over the past year, and demand for this Safe Space has changed. We are reviewing what Safe Space presence is now required in Birmingham's Arcadian and Gay Village area - so that we can tailor the city's Safe Space support appropriately.
From the start of July, the current Safe Space base is no longer available for use within the Arcadian Centre. We are exploring alternative potential bases within the Arcadian and Gay Village area and options for future Safe Space delivery in this area.
Can you offer a Safe Space base?
Please contact us at: wmpcc@westmidlands.police.uk if you may be able to offer a base for the Safe Space? Note, a Safe Space base needs to be:
Accessible
Secure
Available on Saturday nights
Ideally have a parking space
Our current Safe Space Arcadian Saturday night base will close from July 2026. Saturday 27th June will be the last night we will be operating from that location. Please advise your staff teams, including door staff, who may make referrals to the Safe Space.
In this transition phase, please note:
If You Need Help
With the closure of the Safe Spaces service at the Arcadian Centre, support remains available if you or someone you are with needs urgent advice or assistance.
For serious or life-threatening emergencies
Call 999 immediately if someone is:
Unconscious or not breathing.
Having a seizure that is not stopping.
Suffering from severe bleeding or blood loss.
At immediate risk of serious harm to themselves or others.
Experiencing a medical or mental health emergency where there is an immediate danger to life.
For urgent health concerns, think NHS111
NHS 111 remains available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and should be the first point of contact for urgent health concerns that are not life-threatening. NHS 111 can provide advice, direct people to the most appropriate service, and arrange urgent support where needed.
Mental health support
Trained mental health professionals are available 24/7 to provide advice, support and access to appropriate services via NHS111. If you, or someone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis, select Option 2 when calling NHS 111 to speak with the local mental health crisis service.
NHS111 is accessed by calling 111 from any telephone.
If you are unsure which service is most appropriate, NHS 111 should be your first point of contact for advice and guidance
Kind regards
The Safe Space Delivery Team, Birmingham.