Published on
6 November 2026
One business at a time: Danny's story
Building confidence while helping more people feel safe in their community
Not so long ago, Danny would have described himself as very shy. Today, he’s comfortable picking up the phone to local businesses, walking in to speak to their managers and asking them to sign up to Safe Places, a scheme that helps people feel safe when they’re out and about in the borough.
Danny, who has called Wokingham Borough his home for most of his life, has been supported by Optalis Supported Employment Service. The service provides tailored support to disabled people, people with long-term health conditions and unpaid carers to help them find work, stay in work and develop new skills.
Through the service, Danny took on a part-time paid role helping to grow Safe Places, one of two roles created when the scheme relaunched. He brings his own personal experience to conversations with businesses about why the scheme matters.
Danny’s story supports Social Care Future, a people-powered movement working towards a future where everyone can live in a place they call home, with the people and things they love, supported by strong, inclusive communities. Central to that is people who draw on care and support helping to shape their own communities, and that’s exactly what Danny has been doing.
The first yes
Before Safe Places, Danny had worked as an Ability Gardener through the Optalis Supported Employment programme. When his employment coach told him about the opportunity, it sounded like something he wanted to try.
He still remembers signing up his first business, in the middle of Wokingham. He spoke to the manager and explained how the scheme supports people who might need a bit of extra support and helps them feel safe in the community.
"I was nervous at first, but once they agreed to sign up, I was so happy that I had got a company signed up to the scheme," he said. "It gave me so much motivation to continue contacting other companies."
A scheme that helps people feel safe
Safe Places relaunched in Wokingham Borough this spring, led by Wokingham Borough and delivered in partnership with local social care provider Optalis. Shops, businesses and community venues display a Safe Places sticker in their window to show they can help if someone is lost, anxious or feeling unsafe. Staff can offer a place to wait, give directions, or call a trusted person or support service. A Safe Place can also simply be somewhere calm to take a moment away from busy crowds or noise, such as during a community event.
Fourteen locations signed up when the scheme relaunched. There are now 29 across the borough, from libraries and leisure centres to local shops and pubs, and Danny has played his part in that growth.
"The scheme gives people who might be finding things difficult places to go where they feel they are not going to be judged and can get support," he said. "The sticker on the window is large and colourful, which helps people find it."
Confidence that grew
Danny's role meant phoning businesses to tell them about the scheme, then visiting them to sign them up and talk staff through the resources and the window sticker. Each conversation made the next one a little easier.
"After I had got the first few businesses signed up, I noticed that when I spoke to companies and their managers, I would feel confident explaining the scheme," he said. "My explanation over the phone was better than before, and I was needing less support from my employment coach during my shifts."
It didn't happen overnight. "The growth of confidence was very gradual, so it took a while to see the results," he said.
That confidence has carried over into the rest of his life too. At a recent job interview, Danny felt much more confident talking to the interviewer.
"There is still room for improvement, but I have noticed a great change," he said.
People in his corner
Danny is quick to credit the people who helped him along the way. Several coaches from the Optalis Supported Employment Service Team worked with him on his shifts.
"They supported me to build the confidence that I am proud of," he said.
He also thanks the council, which funds Safe Places, for the opportunity, and for helping to raise awareness of the relaunched scheme.
What's next
Danny now wants to take his new skills and confidence into the workplace and is continuing to work with Optalis Supported Employment Service to look for jobs.
His advice to anyone who feels nervous about trying something new is to give it a go.
"Try it for a week, and if you don't enjoy it, you can choose something else. But don't miss an opportunity," he said. "You can be nervous and shy at the start but always push yourself to the best of your ability and your confidence will grow."
Supporting the vision in your community
Strong, inclusive communities are built from small things: a colourful sticker in a shop window, a member of staff who knows how to help, and a resident like Danny making sure more places are ready when someone needs them.
As Danny put it when the scheme launched: "By helping the community, I am probably putting a smile on their faces."
Find out more
Safe Places can be recognised by the sticker in their window, and the Safe Places app can help people find the nearest one or plan ahead.
Residents can also carry a free Safe Places Card, with space for their name, two trusted contacts and any important information. Cards can be cut out from leaflets available at the council’s reception at Shute End, Optalis Head Office, Wokingham Charity & Community Hub in Erftstadt Court and local libraries. Residents can also download and print a Safe Places Card.
Residents can find the full list of Safe Places across the borough and look out for the sticker in venue windows.
