Nationwide Adds Safe Spaces to 42 Virgin Money Branches, Total Reaches 475

Nationwide has announced an important change to 42 of its branches, rolling out new safe spaces across Virgin Money locations. The move from the mutual, which is the UK's biggest building society, will bring the total number across Nationwide’s branch network to 475.

What Are Safe Spaces?

Safe spaces are private, confidential areas in branches where anyone experiencing domestic abuse can access support, make calls to specialist charities, and find safety away from their abuser. Throughout the World Cup, Nationwide is backing domestic abuse charity Hestia’s Support Is A Team Sport campaign, which encourages people to recognise the signs of abuse and download Bright Sky, an app offering advice and access to local and national support services.

How to Find a Safe Space

The app also helps users find their nearest Nationwide or Virgin Money safe space and provides guidance on how to support someone safely. Customers can also locate their nearest Nationwide safe space using Nationwide’s branch finder.

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Statements from Nationwide and Hestia

Mandy Beech, director of retail services at Nationwide, which has branches in Birmingham, said: “We urge anyone experiencing abuse to reach out – our in-branch safe spaces are here to support you. We know that a bank or building society might not be the most obvious or conventional place to turn in a moment of crisis, but through our charity partners and the tools we have built, there are real, practical things we can do to help people get the support they need. Colleagues across more than 600 branches have participated in our domestic abuse awareness training because no one should face this alone.”

Sue Harper, deputy director, domestic abuse and sexual violence prevention at Hestia, said: “While football does not cause abuse, we know that existing abusive behaviour often intensifies on match days. Heightened emotions and increased alcohol consumption can escalate harm, leaving victim-survivors dreading match days and feeling unsafe in their own homes. This summer, we all have a role to play. We can help people feel less alone and ensure they get the support they need.”