This article shares our top tips for staying safe on campus and when you’re travelling to and from it. Make sure to also check out our articles on how to stay safe on a night out and on your bike.
Stay alert
Keep your belongings in your pocket and stay alert when travelling to or from campus and whilst you’re on it, particularly when it’s dark. Like in any big city, sometimes theft happens, but if your phone is safely in your pocket or bag you can keep any risk to a minimum. We also recommend you avoid wearing noise cancelling headphones, so you know what’s going on around you and stick to well-lit roads and pavements as you travel around the city, avoiding underpasses where possible.
Download SafeZone
Our mobile app SafeZone can be used to quickly connect you with our Campus Support and Security team if you feel unsafe, need immediate help or require first aid or wellbeing assistance. The app is free to download, easy to use, and operates across not just on our campus and accommodation areas, but also MMU and Salford campuses. We really encourage all students to download and make the most of this brilliant app. Find out more about SafeZone.
Make the most of safety apps
There are so many apps to give you extra peace of mind as we approach winter. Kitestring is an SMS service that checks up on you and alerts your friends if you don’t respond. There’s also My SafetiPin, the highest-rated app designed to keep women safe which uses your GPS location to help calculate the best routes to get you from A to B. Want to know more about safety apps? Check out our article from last year about the best apps to download.
Report unacceptable behaviour
At Manchester we have a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, discrimination, gender-based violence, hate or micro-aggressions. If you have witnessed any forms of this behaviour, or have a safeguarding concern, you can report it anonymously or get support from a trained advisor. Find out more about Report + Support and our latest campaign, It’s Never OK.
We encourage students to discuss incidents with the police when they happen, where you can access specialist support and decide whether you would like to engage with a formal reporting process. If you are in danger or it’s an emergency please call 999, otherwise you can call 101, visit your local police station or report the incident online.
Looking after yourself
We know that life can sometimes bring its own challenges. If you’re struggling, please reach out and explore the s mental health support available to you, or check out help available via our student support website for more info on how to keep yourself safe and look after yourself.