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Culemborg Safe Space<span> <h2 class="sectHeading">About</h2></span> <p>The Safe Space, an overnight facility for street people, <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/City%20pilots%20Safe%20Space%20for%20street%20people">opened on the Cape Town Foreshore in June 2018</a>, to address the shortage of shelter space and help those who no longer want to live on the street.</p><p>Situated under Culemborg Bridge, the transitional shelter has space for up to 230 people who are able to spend the night, access ablution facilities and securely store their belongings.</p><p>People who want to make use of the facility are assigned a:</p><ul><li>storage locker;</li><li>sleeping pallet;</li><li>sleeping bag and blanket;</li><li>wellness pack containing hygiene essentials.</li></ul><p>The site also has a dedicated <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/Law%20Enforcement%2c%20Traffic%20and%20Coordination%20Department">Law Enforcement</a> team to provide 24-hour security.</p> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​Benefits​​​​​​​</h2></span> <p>The use of the Safe Space is entirely voluntary, and the benefits for street people include providing:</p><ul><li>a secure and safe area to sleep for up to 230 street people in the CBD;</li><li>a drug-free/alcohol-free/weapon-free space;</li><li>clean water and ablution facilities;</li><li>storage facilities to keep their possessions safe.</li></ul> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note">​​​</i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Did you know?</h4><p>We partner with organisations to bring their services (clothing donations, pop-up kitchens, etc.) to the Safe Space.</p></div></div></span><span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​Services</h2></span> <p>Street people who make use of the Safe Space facility can also access the following:</p><ul><li>Assistance with obtaining identity documents and social grants;</li><li>Assistance with personal development plans;</li><li>Donated food and clothing;</li><li>Medical assessments, HIV testing and support with substance abuse rehabilitation;</li><li>Referral to specialist social services, if required;</li><li>Relocation to place of origin;</li><li>Reintegration into society;</li><li>Reunification with family members;</li><li>Short-term job opportunities through the <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/jobs-and-skills-development/youth-careers/find-an-opportunity-with-epwp">Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP)</a>.</li></ul><p>Safe Space clients are also able to access training and development opportunities such as:</p><ul><li>art and trauma therapy; </li><li>computer skills; </li><li>entrepreneurship programmes; </li><li>family strengthening programmes;</li><li>youth skills development (over 18s only). </li></ul><p>In the first year, 616 people made use of the Safe Space. Below are some of the success stories:</p><ul><li>3 people were placed in frail care;</li><li>9 people moved into their own accommodation;</li><li>19 people secured permanent employment;</li><li>58 people were reunified with their families;</li><li>65 people successfully completed the Matrix substance abuse rehabilitation programme;</li><li>70 people were helped to secure identity documents;</li><li>84 people were assisted and returned to their hometowns outside of Cape Town;</li><li>115 people secured temporary work opportunities via EPWP.</li></ul> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​How many people live on Cape Town's streets?</h2></span> <p>In November 2018, we <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/Street%20people%20count%20to%20guide%20City%27s%20future%20Social%20Development%20interventions">conducted a count</a> of the number of street people in Cape Town, which found an estimated 6 175 people living on the streets.</p><p>The research was conducted over an 18-day period. During this time, four teams moved through the city between 03:00 and 08:00 to count the number of people sleeping on the street. Shelters also provided registers, which helped confirm how many people used their facilities. </p><p>The <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre%20Assets/Enumeration%20Presentation-Janine.pdf" target="_blank">findings of the count</a> will help us determine how to improve social development interventions for street people. </p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note">​​​</i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>PLEASE NOTE</h4><p>The Safe Space does not accommodate children (under 18s). For more information on the welfare of street children, contact the <a href="https://www.westerncape.gov.za/" target="_blank">Western Cape Government</a> Department of Social Development. </p></div></div></span><span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​Street People Policy</h2></span> <p>Since adopting the <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Street%20People%20-%20%28Policy%20number%2012398B%29%20approved%20on%2004%20December%202013.pdf" target="_blank">Street People Policy in 2013</a>, we have introduced measures to assist street people, including:</p><ul><li>arranging temporary work opportunities for street people living in shelters;</li><li>helping to reunite street people with their families;</li><li>providing access to shelters and social services;</li><li>providing assistance to shelters during winter so they can cope with the influx of street people.</li></ul> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Street people unit</h2></span> <p>The Culemborg Safe Space is the first of its kind in the city and the country, and adds to the services and opportunities that our Street People Unit has been offering to street people for years.</p><p>Our field and reintegration officers spend their days moving through areas in the city that are most frequented by street people. </p><p>We interact with individuals, make them aware of the services at their disposal and help those who choose to access the services (mentioned above).</p><p>The services are entirely voluntary, as it is not a crime to be a street person and no one can be forced into accepting help.</p> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​How you can help​​​​​​​</h2></span> <p>We have, and will continue to work with residents to find lasting solutions. We also welcome assistance from concerned residents and non-governmental organisations to support the <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Get-involved/Donate/give-dignity-to-change-lives">Give Dignity Programme</a> by bringing their services and donations to the Safe Space. </p><p>Thanks to the collective efforts of many individuals, private enterprises, corporates and non-governmental organisations, the Safe Space has been able to offer:</p><ul><li>clothing;</li><li>food supplies;</li><li>funding for IDs;</li><li>funeral policies;</li><li>hair grooming;</li><li>skills training;</li><li>temporary and permanent job opportunities;</li><li>toiletries.</li></ul> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​Contact us​​​​​​​</h2></span> <p>If you would like to offer your donations and services to the Culemborg Safe Space, contact:</p><p> <em>Email: </em> <br><a href="mailto:streetpeople.socialdevelopment@capetown.gov.za"><em>streetpeople.socialdevelopment@capetown.gov.za</em></a><em>  </em></p>GP0|#dad56599-f827-4c6b-ba7d-89bb90ed46d6;L0|#0dad56599-f827-4c6b-ba7d-89bb90ed46d6|Culemborg Safe Space;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#bf2075b6-81ed-4492-8b39-a1782a31cb01;GPP|#36dcb5fe-6bfc-4ae9-92d7-8bd08d1f6414;GPP|#af370586-9ba3-404a-9d6e-02066ca42752The Culemborg Safe Space is an overnight facility where street people can access services to help them get off the street.

 

 

CCT Street People FAQs (Afrikaans)409382GP0|#7d9df7be-4d49-4007-95e2-153219f9c783;L0|#07d9df7be-4d49-4007-95e2-153219f9c783|FAQs;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2022-05-19T22:00:00Z
CCT Street People FAQs (English)410832GP0|#7d9df7be-4d49-4007-95e2-153219f9c783;L0|#07d9df7be-4d49-4007-95e2-153219f9c783|FAQs;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2022-05-20T10:00:00Z
CCT Street People FAQs (isiXhosa)355284GP0|#7d9df7be-4d49-4007-95e2-153219f9c783;L0|#07d9df7be-4d49-4007-95e2-153219f9c783|FAQs;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2022-05-20T10:00:00Z

 

 

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