A welfare hub offering warmth, drinking water and help contacting family and friends will be available at this year’s Stray Bonfire and Fireworks in Harrogate.
The hub is being organised by Harrogate Mumbler and will operate from approximately 5pm to 9pm on Saturday 7 November, alongside the event presented by Harrogate District Round Table.
The idea followed an incident at last year’s bonfire, when Mumbler founder Sally Haslewood helped a young person who had become separated from her friends. She had also witnessed lost children and teenagers who were cold and vulnerable at previous events.
The hub will offer somewhere to warm up, access drinking water, charge a mobile phone and get help contacting friends or family. Warm clothing and blankets will also be available.
Sally Haslewood, founder of Harrogate Mumbler, said: Sometimes, all someone needs is a friendly face, somewhere warm to sit and a bit of help getting in touch with their family or friends. It’s a simple idea, but I hope it will make a real difference. It’s about looking out for one another and making sure people know there’s somewhere they can turn if they need help.
The hub is intended to complement the event’s existing safety arrangements. It will not provide medical care or deal with serious incidents.
Harrogate Mumbler is working with local volunteers to run the service.
The Welfare Hub will be located at the Stray Bonfire on Saturday 7 November and is intended for children, teenagers and families who need additional support during the event.