STARS Dorset Supports Bournemouth’s Safe Bus Initiative, Enhancing Safety and Awareness for Nightlife Visitors
STARS Dorset, a leading pan-Dorset charity that provides specialist support to individuals affected by sexual violence, is proud to be supporting Bournemouth’s Safe Bus initiative—an essential part of the town’s nighttime economy safety strategy.
Located on Horseshoe Common, the Safe Bus operates most weekends throughout the year and is run by Dorset Police with the help of dedicated Volunteers. Six months ago, STARS Dorset joined the team and has since played a pivotal role in increasing both footfall and meaningful engagement with the public.
Since STARS Dorset’s involvement, the number of people engaging with the Volunteers has surged from an average of 50 to over 250 on the nights when STARS Dorset is present, highlighting the importance and growing awareness of the service.
The STARS Dorset team provides practical and emotional support, advice and guidance, drink spiking prevention tools such as ‘spikies’ for bottles and the Safe Bus Volunteers give water, medical supplies and offer support to those in need. They also share information about available support services and offer safety tips for enjoying a night out responsibly. This includes promoting drop-in sessions for students at local universities and handing out emergency contact cards that attach to mobile phones, ensuring help is always within easy reach.
“It’s all about connection and being accessible” says STARS Dorset Engagement Lead, Stephanie Lee. “The presence of our team on the Safe Bus helps raise awareness and provides reassurance. We’re having powerful and meaningful conversations every time we go out that help people feel seen, supported, and safe.”
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Many young people have shared how the Safe Bus presence makes them feel safer while out at night, and more informed about where to turn for support if they need it.
Looking ahead to September, STARS Dorset will have a strong presence at university freshers’ nights in Bournemouth, encouraging questions and open conversations. This proactive outreach aims to set a precedent for students to understand that support is available and accessible, and to set the tone for a culture of safety, awareness, and respect from the start of the academic year.
By working together with Dorset Police and other community partners, STARS Dorset is helping to foster a culture of respect, awareness, and prevention across Bournemouth’s vibrant night-time economy.
About STARS Dorset:
STARS Dorset is a pan-Dorset charity providing specialist support to individuals of all genders who have been affected by sexual violence. The charity offers a wide range of services including counselling, advocacy, and outreach, aiming to empower survivors and help prevent future harm through education and awareness.
Website: https://starsdorset.org/