Following a £100k investment from TransPennine Express (TPE), the Safer Hull Paragon Hub, which opened on August 14, provides a crucial point of contact for vulnerable and at-risk people who use the railway.
The hub was created in collaboration with TPE, Hull City Council, British Transport Police (BTP), Humberside Police, local community agencies and supporting charities including Railway Children, Samaritans, Hull 4 Heroes and Andy’s Man Club.
The investment from TPE has transformed an empty retail unit into a safe space which provides a range of services for millions of rail and bus users who pass through the interchange every year. The hub provides charities and local agencies a shared location to engage with the public and increase their visibility, as well as strengthening policing presence to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour.
Railway Children will have a regular slot within the hub’s opening hours between 9am and 7pm, Monday to Sunday.
Joe Clay, Programme Manager, Safeguarding Partnerships at Railway Children, said:
“We are pleased to have been offered a regular slot at the Safer Hull Paragon Hub to increase safeguarding for vulnerable children and young people on the rail network. We look forward to engaging with the station’s many users and will be available to offer guidance and support to anyone who needs it.
“We have a brilliant working relationship with TPE and they have demonstrated outstanding commitment to recognising and supporting vulnerability on the railway. The hub is testament to what can be achieved when agencies work together as demonstrated by our Safeguarding Action Groups.”
Railway Children have worked with TPE on training 34 safeguarding champions and 30 mental first aiders. TPE has also been awarded the national Safeguarding on Rail Accreditation, which Railway Children hopes to make compulsory within all train operating company contracts by 2027.
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