Safe Spaces

About Safe Spaces

Brisbane North PHN's Safe Space Network was established in 2021 to provide a free, peer-led alternative for people needing connection, de-escalation and practical support outside a clinical setting.

With a ‘no wrong door’ approach, the network operates from four locations across our region:

• Bardon Safe Space, located at 180 Jubilee Terrace, Bardon
• Caboolture Safe Space, located at 24 George Street, Caboolture
• Redcliffe Safe Space, located at 440 Oxley Avenue, Redcliffe
• Strathpine Safe Space, located at 6/327 Gympie Road, Strathpine.

Trained peer workers draw on their own lived experience of distress and recovery to provide intervention, connection, grounding, quiet spaces, sensory resources and opportunities to feel safe, heard and understood.

Operating in the after-hours period when traditional mental health services are unavailable and there is then little to no alternative to presenting to an emergency department, the spaces are intentionally designed to feel welcoming, comfortable and non-clinical, with warm lighting, comfortable furniture and activities that give guests options to self-regulate and feel at ease.

Guests choose how they engage, by talking with a peer worker, sitting quietly or simply spending time in the space. There is no requirement to share more than the guests are comfortable in sharing about their current situation.

What makes Safe Spaces different

• Free, accessible support is provided by peer workers with lived experience.
• Guests do not need a referral, diagnosis or appointment.
• Guests do not need to be in crisis to visit.
• Visits to the space can be anonymous.
• Guests can choose how to engage with the service.
• Support is available when other pathways are closed

Feedback from Safe Spaces guests demonstrate the service is making a real difference through:

• reducing their immediate distress
• addressing their needs and root causes of distress
• equipping them with the skills to create safety and manage future distress
• providing suicide prevention strategies.

“Safe Space didn’t give up on me when I couldn’t speak or didn’t believe things could change. They stayed, even when things were messy. I still have hard days, but I can now ask for what I need and believe that my life can keep moving forward.”

Safe Space Guest, 2026

Future proofing

With sustainable funding for Safe Spaces, Brisbane North PHN can continue to strengthen this innovative, recovery-oriented model addressing guests mental health distress early, before reaching moderate to severe levels of concern. Resultantly, Safe Spaces could prevent more than 895 ED presentations annually, producing a net financial benefit of $5.4 million (after accounting for operating costs).

Medicare Mental Health Centre guidelines acknowledge the unique value peer-led services like Safe Spaces bring to crisis care, encouraging referrals to peer support groups and peer-led safe spaces.

If you would like to learn more about Brisbane North PHN's successful Safe Spaces program, view the consumer brochure or contact our team.

Safe Space contact information