Menu

Place of Safety

A scheme with a number of emergency and evacuation venues across Somerset
Navigate this page
Back to Health, safety and wellbeing

Page contents

Use the links below to navigate directly to sections of this page.

Introduction

information

Sometimes, an emergency may require the evacuation of homes, businesses or entire communities to protect people’s safety.

To make evacuation quicker and less stressful, Somerset’s Civil Contingencies Partnership has introduced the ‘Place of Safety’ scheme.

The scheme will establish a network of venues across Somerset. These will cover larger areas, such as Taunton and Bridgwater, and smaller communities, including Kilmersdon and Alcombe.

The scheme provides temporary shelter during an emergency, usually for several hours. It builds on existing community support by using familiar local venues where people feel safe.

Local authority staff and community members support each venue. They work together to provide care at short notice.

Each place of safety will have:

  • 24 hour access
  • Disabled access
  • Toilets
  • Heating
  • Light refreshments available

We welcome new venues to join the scheme. If you can help, email info@somersetprepared.org.uk and include ‘Places of Safety’ in the subject line.

The benefits

  • Venues are close to their communities
  • Venues are well known locally
  • The community can open the venue themselves
  • Evacuees will be supported by people they know.

Last updated: June 18, 2026

Next review due: December 18, 2026

Back to top