Where are the safe spaces for young people in Leeds?
Crime and safety was recently voted the top issue for children and young people in Leeds, in the 2024 Make Your Mark ballot. 7,884 young people in Leeds voted in the ballot, and 1,486 of those voted for crime and safety.
Safe spaces are also an important part of Child Friendly Leeds wish 2. Children and young people will only play, hang out and have fun in places which feel safe to them. So where do children and young people feel safe?
So, we asked you on our Facebook channel where your children feel safest and have used your responses to put together this blog.
Add your comment here:
Museums, galleries and libraries
Thank goodness for our museums, galleries and libraries, as so many of you listed them as your children’s safe spaces. Mostly free to access, libraries and museums have created a safe haven for children of different ages across Leeds, whether its in the city centre or in our local communities:
“Our three year old says the Thackray Museum of Medicine. His other favourite place is Kirkstall Abbey and Abbey House Museum. The changing facilities are probably the best we have been to.”
“When we got to the city centre he says Leeds Museum, Tiny Totley and the Art Gallery.”
“My 14 year old says the museum, art gallery and library in the centre.”
“Farsley Library”
“Royal Armouries”
“Abbey House Museum is a safe space for lots of neurodiverse children.”
“From my kids:…city centre musuems (Royal Armouries, City Museum).”
“Abbey House Museum, Thackray even though it smells!”
“Compton Library”
Recently announced – Abbey House Museum will stay open!
There was such a passionate response from the public to protect the museum, that it will now remain open.
Green spaces, nature and parks
Green spaces and parks were mentioned numerous times as safe spaces for children and young people. They are also places that improve our physical and mental health giving us space to move, and time to reflect.
“Yeadon Tarn says our biggest.”
“Funnily enough my children feel safe more outside in fields than in a building! For us, the kids enjoy exploring Temple Newsam.”
“Forest school”
“Merrion Street Gardens”
“From my kids:…parks (Temple Newsam, Roundhay, Golden Acre, Moortown)”
Schools and clubs
It may be obvious to say but many parents commented that their young people feel safe at school. They also commented with local clubs and groups that young people attend.
“My 9 year old says at gymnastics.”
“Home and school”
“My 8 year old loves Hollybush at Kirkstall.”
“Cubs and brownies”
Leisure spaces
“From my kids: …Crown Point, local pub/coffee shops, Kirkstall Leisure Park.”
“Hyde Park Picture House”
“Costa Coffee Kirkstall”
“Kids Club House in Horsforth”
