Weymouth Town Council’s annual summer season fireworks are proving to be as popular as ever, with large numbers of people expected to attend the displays throughout August.
The Pineapple Project, with the help of Weymouth Town Council, has provided a pop-up safe space at the fireworks nights, where young women can access support and guidance, be listened to, seek help if needed and even charge their phones or get a snack.
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.
During these evening events the Pineapple Project also ensures that young women have a safe route home by checking in with them and liaising with other safety partners if needed.
The Pineapple Project’s 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.”
This initiative was set up in response to local young women sharing that they have sometimes felt unsafe due to exploitation, peer on peer abuse, sexual assault or inappropriate behaviour.
Community guardians and businesses involved in the Pineapple Project raise awareness about how to respond to harm outside of the home, and keep an eye open to observe and protect our young women if needed. Community Guardians are trained to be able to recognise signs that could mean a young woman is at risk of harm, and know how to help to her. They are also active bystanders in helping to tackle violence against young women and girls.
The project has so far recruited guardians in spaces including retail, hospitality, fast food outlets, beauty establishments and community hubs, and is continuously looking to expand the network of individuals and businesses.
The town centre is also seeing an enhanced visible police presence this summer, in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour (ASB) and criminal activity. The neighbourhood policing team is building on the success of past campaigns, by working with members of Dorset Council’s Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) to provide 100 days of highly visible uniformed foot patrol during the summer months.
Cllr Byron Quayle 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.“
If you’d like to get involved, please contact:
Email: thepineappleproject@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Tel: 01305 762400
This is really impressive.