Ruby Hartshorn

Hello, my name is Ruby. I am Chair of Safe Places Shropshire.

My background is in finance, having worked in accountancy for many years before life as an employee came to an earlier end than anticipated. I have always enjoyed using some of my spare time to volunteer for charities and organisations where I feel I can make a difference i.e. youth work, advocacy, sharing my knowledge and experiences with carers/former carers and people with various disabilities. I have my own disabilities and have been a family carer.

When Ann introduced me to the Safe Places Shropshire community initiative, I realised how important the scheme is and the help it can bring to anyone who may feel vulnerable while out and about in our communities.  We are so fortunate to have a small but passionate team delivering this scheme in Shropshire.

As Chair, I hope Safe Places Shropshire continues to grow. In time, it would be good if the “Safe Place” logo is known in every household in our county. Our ultimate aim is to be a registered charity. Although, as Chair my role involves some admin, I enjoy talking to people about our scheme including going out to sign up new places, helping at fundraising events, as and when I can, while also having a duty of care to our volunteers.

In 2024 we were awarded Disability Confident “Committed” status via the government initiative. We are committed to be inclusive. We will give equal opportunities to everyone who expresses an interest in volunteering for us including those who want to take the opportunity to give their time to volunteer as a stepping stone to paid employment.

We have also achieved “Bronze Award” as part of the Armed Forces Covenant that we signed up to in December 2023.

In 2025 we received some funding from Awards for All (National Lottery Community Fund). This funding has enabled us to purchase essential equipment and run a project around the Night-Time economy so that we have Safe Places available later in the day.

Our website is fundamental in all that we do. I hope you will find the information on it useful, especially the search facility enabling people to find their nearest Safe Place using a mobile phone.

To contact me, please use my email address safeplaceschair@gmail.com or use the contact form on this website Contact Us – Safe Places Shropshire 

I look forward to meeting you.