Safer and Supportive Salisbury (SaSS) has been given a huge fund to support their work over the next three years.

On Friday, May 24, SaSS announced that The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK, has agreed to fund the organisation’s work to a total of more than £120,000.

The aim of SaSS is to make the city of Salisbury a safe, supportive and inclusive community for everyone who lives or works in the city - and all visitors. 

The charity comprises volunteers and representatives of local community groups and charities, supported by representatives of the county, city and other public service providers.  

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The team celebrated at a small launch event on Friday, May 24, inviting volunteers and representatives from community groups to join, as well as the Mayor.

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Mayor Sven Hocking said: “I am delighted to congratulate Safer and Supportive Salisbury in a successful bid for the community fund from the National Lottery. It will make a big difference to what they already do in Salisbury.

“This news came hot on the heels of the good news last year when they received charitable status. It will all help hugely in making Salisbury a better place.”

Having achieved charitable status in October 2023, trustees of SaSS have announced that alongside the National Lottery funding, they will take over the lease of 59 Catherine Street to work in partnership with Salisbury Pantry.

The Pantry will continue to operate as normal, but on days when it is not operating, SaSS will make use of the shop as an information hub. The pantry will also allow SaSS Network member organisations to book the premises for use for meetings and activities.  

SaSS chair Anne Trevett BEM said: “It’s about reaching people who are isolated and lonely. Current research says loneliness and isolations does as much damage to health as smoking 20 cigarettes a day.

“There’s an amazing range of people in Salisbury, what we try and do is provide the glue that holds people together. This is just the beginning.”

SASS began as part of “Safe Places” in Salisbury but as now evolved as a network in it’s own right.

Across Salisbury, safe hubs can be found on the “Safe Places” app, which shows the nearest safe places you can go to – including the White Hart hotel, which is available 24/7.