OurCoop’s Walsall town centre store becomes a Safe Space for young people

OurCoop's Walsall town centre store has joined Walsall Council's Safe Spaces initiative, providing children and young people with a welcoming place to go if they feel worried, upset or need help while out in the town centre.

The store's dedicated quiet room will now be available as a Safe Space, offering practical support and reassurance to anyone under the age of 18 who may need assistance. Whether a young person feels unsafe, has lost their bus ticket, needs to contact a parent or carer, or simply requires somewhere calm to gather themselves, trained colleagues will be on hand to help.

As part of the initiative, the store provides access to practical essentials including:

• A safe, welcoming place to go
• Help contacting a trusted adult or emergency support if needed
• Phone chargers and power banks
• First aid kits
• Free sanitary products for young people under 18

Young people will be able to identify the store as a registered Safe Space through dedicated window signage, with the location also listed on Google Maps alongside other participating venues across Walsall.

The Safe Spaces scheme was launched by Walsall Council and West Midlands Police at the end of 2025 following feedback from young people, who said feeling safe was one of their biggest concerns. The initiative aims to make the town centre a more welcoming and reassuring place by creating a network of locations where young people know they can turn for support.

OurCoop's Walsall store is one of a growing number of organisations supporting the scheme, alongside Walsall Bus Station, The Link, Legacy Church and several council-run venues.

Helen Taylor, Store Manager at OurCoop's Walsall town centre store, said: "Our stores have always been at the heart of the communities they serve, and we're proud to be playing our part in helping young people feel safer in Walsall. Sometimes all someone needs is a friendly face, somewhere quiet to collect their thoughts or practical help to get in touch with a parent or carer.

"By becoming a Safe Space, we hope young people know they can walk through our doors with confidence if they ever need support. Our colleagues have received the training to help in these situations and will always do their best to provide reassurance and assistance."

The rollout of Safe Spaces forms part of Walsall Council's ambition to make the borough a child-friendly place by 2040, ensuring young people have access to trusted locations where they can seek help whenever they need it.