Building Safer, More Connected Communities: Progress on the Social Safety Approach Project

The Social Safety Approach Project is a community-led initiative focused on improving everyday safety, wellbeing and quality of life across Charleville’s Northside estates. Since the project began, the emphasis has been on building trust, listening to residents, and working together to create practical and lasting change.

At the heart of the Social Safety Approach is the understanding that safety is not just about incidents or statistics, but about how safe people feel in their homes, streets and shared spaces, and whether they feel heard, supported and connected within their community.

A Visible, Relationship-Based Approach

A key focus to date has been establishing a strong on-the-ground presence within the community. This has allowed for informal conversations, one-to-one engagement and ongoing follow-up with residents, helping to build trust and encourage open communication.

By taking a relationship-based approach, concerns can be identified early and addressed before they escalate, while also creating stronger links between residents, local services and community supports.

Listening and Learning from the Community

Significant work has taken place to better understand local safety issues from the perspective of residents themselves. Through conversations, surveys and ongoing engagement, residents have shared what feels unsafe, what works well, and what could be improved.

This local knowledge has been central to shaping the project’s direction and priorities.

Importantly, the Social Safety Approach is based on co-design — working with residents, rather than doing things to or for the community.

Community Activities and Connection

Alongside engagement and planning, a range of community activities and social initiatives have been supported to strengthen connections, encourage positive use of shared spaces and reduce isolation.

The project supported World Book Day celebrations, encouraging a love of reading, creativity and shared learning. The event created a welcoming space where children could enjoy books, storytelling and creative activities together.

Celebrating World Book Day, March 5th – children taking part in reading and creative activities. 

World Book Day celebrations – promoting reading, imagination and shared learning among local children. 

These activities play an important role in social safety by strengthening relationships, building confidence and helping residents feel more connected to their community.

A community spring clean also brought residents together to take pride in their local environment and work collectively to improve shared spaces.

Spring Clean, 9 April – Hillview Drive residents taking part in a community clean-up to improve their local area.

Children also took part in an Easter Multi Activities Camp, which provided a fun, active and inclusive space during the school holidays. The camp offered a variety of games and activities, with children fully engaged and enjoying the opportunity to socialise, build confidence and create positive memories within their community.

Children enjoying activities at the Easter Multi Activities Camp.

Easter Multi Activities Camp – children fully engaged in fun and energetic activities during the school holidays.

Developing the Community Safety Plan

All engagement and activity carried out so far is informing the development of a Community Safety Plan. This plan brings together resident feedback, local knowledge and interagency input to outline clear, realistic actions aimed at improving safety, connection and wellbeing in the area.

The plan will provide a shared framework for residents, community organisations and services to work together in a coordinated and practical way.

Training, Capacity Building and Partnership Working

Training and capacity building will form a key focus in the next phase of the project. Upcoming training will support residents to build confidence, skills and leadership around community safety, prevention and participation, helping to ensure positive change can be sustained into the future.

The project will also continue to strengthen collaboration between residents, local organisations and statutory services, supporting better communication and more coordinated responses to safety concerns.

Looking Ahead

While the project is still ongoing, strong foundations have already been laid. Relationships have been built, residents’ voices are shaping the work, and clear plans are in place to support continued progress.

As the Social Safety Approach Project moves forward, the focus will remain on community-led action, partnership working and creating safer, more connected places to live.

 Social Safety Approach Project

This project is supported by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration through the Community Safety Fund 2025.