Swindon bank offers safe space for domestic abuse victims

Staff at Swindon's Metro Bank in Regent Street have trained to offer a Safe Space to domestic abuse victims.

Many such people are also victims of economic abuse by their partners.

The Safe Spaces scheme is part of the UK Says No More campaign which calls for the end of domestic and sexual abuse that impacts nearly two million people every year in the UK. 

UK Says No More is working with a number of high-street locations including Metro Bank to provide Safe Spaces, a vital, private space for people experiencing domestic abuse to be able to access support safely, without being monitored. 

Since November 2022, Metro Bank has run a successful pilot rolling out Safe Spaces across several of its sites. Now 52 branches including Swindon's - will offer the Safe Spaces scheme. This will give anyone experiencing, or at risk of domestic abuse, the opportunity to safely call a helpline, support service or loved one. 

Swindon Metro Bank Store Manager Daniel Wilkie said: “As a community bank, we want to be able to support anyone locally who wishes to use our private Safe Space to help them plan the next stages of their new life."

Judith Lowe, Chair of Metro Bank’s Women on Work inclusion network, said: "The topic of domestic abuse has been high on our agenda over the last two years as we have worked to increase awareness through events and initiatives 

“As a community bank, our store teams already have well-established connections with local domestic abuse charities. As our stores are open seven days a week, evenings and 362 days a year, we can offer extended access on the high street for those needing a safe space and we didn’t hesitate to join the UK Says No More campaign.” 

Metro Bank has 76 branches. Choosing the stores to participate in the physical Safe Space initiative required careful consideration to ensure victims would be protected. 

With Metro Bank’s open and transparent approach to high-street banking, some stores are fully exposed to public view, with large glass forefronts. Although all stores support the campaign, certain Metro Bank stores would not have been able to offer a truly safe and confidential space for victims.

Patrick Ryan, Chief Executive of Hestia, said: “For those experiencing domestic abuse, finding a safe space can be a lifeline. We have heard countless stories from survivors who were unable to even make a phone call without being monitored. Popping into a local high street bank may be the only time when they’re not watched. 

“We’re pleased to be working with Metro Bank to widen our support network for those who need us now more than ever. We are proud to now be offering over 7,000 Safe Spaces across the UK and we hope that many more businesses will follow Metro Bank’s lead and support this scheme.”

Anyone wanting to find the nearest Safe Space to their home should visit https://uksaysnomore.org/safespaces

Metro Bank’s Swindon branch is at 1-4 Regent St, Swindon SN1 1JQ. It is currently open Monday to Saturday from 8:30am to 6pm and Sundays from 11am to 5pm.