Nationwide Building Society has announced a major expansion of its Safe Spaces initiative, introducing dedicated areas in 42 former Virgin Money branches. This brings the total number of sites offering this service to 475 across the UK, making Nationwide the financial institution with the most Safe Spaces in Britain.
Support During Major Football Tournaments
The expansion coincides with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as campaigners highlight that domestic abuse incidents often surge during major football events. Research from Warwick Business School found that alcohol-related domestic abuse reports rose by 47% on days when England won a World Cup or European Championship match. During Euro 2024, police recorded 351 football-related domestic abuse incidents, an 82% increase from the 193 reported during Euro 2021.
Safe Spaces: A Refuge for Victims
Safe Spaces are private areas within branches where individuals experiencing domestic abuse can access confidential support, contact specialist charities, or find a safe place away from an abuser. The scheme is run nationally by domestic abuse charity Hestia. Of the 475 Safe Spaces now available, 82 are in towns where Nationwide operates the last remaining bank or building society branch.
Commitment to Branches and Financial Abuse Support
Following its takeover of Virgin Money, Nationwide now has the UK's largest branch network and has committed to keeping all branches open until at least 2030. Alongside physical Safe Spaces, the building society has introduced an in-app feature that allows customers to block payment references from people sending threatening or coercive messages via bank transfers, helping victims of financial abuse.
Statements from Nationwide and Hestia
Mandy Beech, Nationwide's director of retail services, 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."
Sue Harper, deputy director for domestic abuse and sexual violence prevention at Hestia, warned that existing abusive behaviour often escalates during major football tournaments: "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."
Additional Support Resources
Throughout the World Cup, Nationwide is supporting Hestia's #SupportIsATeamSport campaign, urging the public to download the Bright Sky app, which offers confidential guidance and information on local support services. The app also enables users to find their closest Safe Space within a Nationwide or Virgin Money branch. Over 600 branches have undergone domestic abuse awareness training, equipping staff to spot warning signs of abuse and guide people to specialist help.
