Pop-up 'safe spaces' proving important at Weymouth fireworks displays
There are two more weeks of free displays on the seafront
Pop-up 'safe spaces' are being set up at Weymouth's summer fireworks displays this summer - and are proving important to support young women.
The Pineapple Project is working with Weymouth Town Council on the project, offering help to females that might need some guidance, help, to be listened to, or even need a phone charger or snacks.
Launched in November 2022 by Dorset Council, the Pineapple Project has been working closely with local businesses and recruiting community guardians to offer safeguarding for young women in Weymouth and Portland, when they are outside of their homes.
Their mantra is that 'all young women should feel safe in the communities where they live. All young women should be given the opportunity to understand their right to safety and all young women should be able to seek the right support at the right time'.
There's also an 'enhanced visible police presence' in Weymouth town centre this summer, in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour (ASB) and criminal activity.
Cllr Byron Quayle, from Dorset Council, said:
“The Pineapple Project is doing important and successful work in increasing public safety for young women. Our young people need to feel safe when going out in their local community and this is a great initiative, offering them support and guidance.
“We are continuing to raise awareness of how the project can help young women in our area, and asking more businesses and locals to come forward to get involved and become guardians.“
Two more fireworks displays to come
Free fireworks displays will continue in Weymouth for the next two Mondays (21st August and the Bank Holiday, 28th August).
Each event will start from 9.30pm and be visible right across Weymouth Bay.
Mayor of Weymouth, Cllr Kate Wheller, said:
“It’s been great to welcome residents and visitors each Monday to watch the spectacular firework displays. I would encourage people to make an evening of it and support the many local venues along the seafront.
“And I will also be out with the charity collectors from Weymouth & Portland Lions Club who are supporting me in raising vital funds for local groups and charities in the town. They will be at the displays shaking buckets for anyone who is able to make a donation, or go online and visit their Just Giving page.”
The local charities being supported by the Mayor are MV Freedom - which gives access to the water for people living with disability; and the Evergreen Unit - providing palliative care at Westhaven Hospital.
Where possible, people are also encouraged to leave their cars at home and walk, cycle, or use public transport when getting to and from the displays.