fonesforsafety® fonesforsafety®: Rolling out across London in 2009/10 * fonesforsafety®: Rolling out across London in 2009/10
After the successful implementation of pilot fonesforsafety® projects in 6 locations across London and the UK (the London Boroughs of Southwark and Hounslow, and Glasgow, Birmingham, Bristol and Norwich), fonesforsafety® is pleased to announce that it has secured funding for a London-wide roll out of the project over the next two and a half years. In reconfiguring old mobile phones into “999 only” phone alarms which are then distributed by local police and domestic violence support agencies, fonesforsafety® aims include: supporting individuals affected by domestic violence, making a valuable contribution to the co-ordinated community response to domestic violence, and encouraging the public to engage positively with recycling. In meeting these aims fonesforsafety® integrates environmental protection with social empowerment. To date fonesforsafety® has been able to recycle over 70,000 unwanted mobile phones, ensuring that resources that would otherwise have gone to waste have been used to directly support victims of domestic violence. Phones that cannot be reused are recycled, generating income to support the scheme.
The success of fonesforsafety® has involved an integrated partnership between the various agencies and authorities. The London-wide roll-out of this project was officially launched this June 15th at City Hall. New fonesforsafety® projects have been set up in the London boroughs of Greenwich and Hackney kicking off the London-wide roll-out. Do look out for opportunities to work with and support this simple yet significant project. One of the many ways that Local Authorities can help support the project is by hosting a mobile phone collection bin (Delivery and collection are free of charge!). fonesforsafety® receives the support of The Home Office, The City Bridge Trust, Comic Relief, The Body Shop International, Women’s Aid and ACPO (The Association of Chief Police Officers). For more information on how Local Authorities can get involved with this project, contact Marie Tan, fonesforsafety® Project Co-ordinator on 020 7740 6533/Marie.Tan@crispej.org.uk.