Jessica Toale, MP for Bournemouth West and honorary member of SIB, invited local residents to discuss experiences of women’s safety in Bournemouth town centre and to learn how design, culture and policing can help improve things. Two members of the club attended the event with approximately 50 others at the Patch in Bobby’s. There was a panel of 5 experts who each shared thoughts; this was followed by a walkabout in the town centre where participants had the chance to talk about where they felt most and least safe and why. A Q&A session allowed for questions and issues to be raised, and the event closed with the commitment by Jessica’s team to follow up with all those who registered. A very useful exercise and we will watch the next steps with interest.
If you are interested in this and would like to come along to a Soroptimist International Bournemouth meeting to find out more, please email us at sigbibournemouth@hotmail.co.uk.