It’s that time of year again - assignments and exams are just around the corner! However, it’s also a time when the nights get darker earlier, and more students will be staying on campus later.
Students’ safety is one of my top priorities as your VP Communities and Wellbeing, so I’ve decided to put together this short blogpost on a few small ways we can all feel a little safer in Southampton, during the colder months.
Remember this crucial number.
If you don’t already know it, make sure you have the campus security number on hand. You’ll find it easily on the back of your student ID card, but in case you don’t have it on you at the time, why not store it as a contact in your phone. For reference, for non-emergencies, phone the following number: +44 (0)23 8059 3311 (ext. 23311).
It’s giving great company that makes you feel safe <3
Got a late lecture or wanting to stay on campus to have a study session? The SU believes every student should feel safe walking back from campus in the dark.
Keeping to well-lit paths, walking with friends, even having something reflective on you are just a few tips you can use to help with a safe trip home.
But sometimes, we can’t always plan ahead, and things can change very quickly. A great tip often recommended is talking to someone on the phone, maybe a friend or family member, if you feel you may be in an unsafe situation. If you have no one you can call, students can now use the Strut Safe number (0333 335 0026). Available Fridays & Saturdays from 7pm until 3am, and Sundays from 7pm until 1am, you can talk to one of their friendly volunteers. They will keep you company and help you feel safe until you get to your destination.
Let people know where you are, in style!
If I could attach an AirTag to myself I would, but did you know there are apps designed to let your loved ones know where you are?
A great example of this is the personal safety app, Hollie Guard. Available on both iPhone and Android, this app is a great way for you to let people know where you are, as well as easily alert and contact them if you’re in danger and need help. This app does require a subscription to access all the features, which comes to about £7.99 a month. However, we have been told about another great app called The Walksafe app, which is FREE! It’s very similar in how it works, and the features included, as well as also being available on iPhone and Android.
There’s no harm in being prepared. ;)
With the festive season nearly here, lots of students will be going out at night to celebrate, and may get a taxi home.
As your SU, we recommend using licensed taxis or pre-booked hire cars, where possible. Southampton City Council licensed taxis are one of your safest options, as each driver is checked, to make sure they are licensed to drive and trained to keep passengers safe. They can be easily identified by their badges, as well as their vehicles, which will have a rear plate fitted, with the image of the Bargate on it. These taxis also have cameras installed, whereas most authorities do not.
Sometimes it’s not always possible to have arranged a pre-booked hire car, so many students may choose to use Uber if they are not able to hail or call a taxi. Uber has built several safety features into their app, so that users can keep their loved ones informed of where they are, and to help them if something unexpected happens. All Uber trips are tracked by GPS from start to finish, so you can also follow your trip and know exactly where you are going. The app also allows you to choose trusted contacts, to send them updates and reminders of your trip details so they can be kept in the loop.