SafeZone watches launch - find out how to get yours
04 Jul 2024
We are proud to announce the launch of SafeZone Watches, following a collaboration between Campus Support & Security (CS&S), the Student Experience team, and DASS.
The watches utilise the SafeZone app, which is designed to speed up potential response times when you need urgent help and allow users to safely and discretely alert security when they need assistance.
SafeZone launched within the University in 2020 and the area covered has been expanded through the Manchester SafeZone Alliance, in collaboration with our colleagues at Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford. The watches are now being launched due to accessibility issues reported by our disabled colleagues and students, in order to ensure everyone in our community can utilise it and feel safer on campus.
Laura Howard, a member of the our Disabled Staff Network, said: “Disabled people not only experience increased abuse and harassment, but we also feel more vulnerable when it happens due to the difficulty we have getting away from the aggressors. After speaking with students, we raised these issues with the security team, who went above and beyond to improve access to SafeZone for us."
"These watches will be a lifeline for disabled people on campus, as they are a safe and easy way to alert security when feeling vulnerable. The team also ran a series of feedback sessions on how their services could be improved to make campus feel safer for us. They have now embedded improving access into all their practices, and I am very thankful for their hard work and commitment.”
Paul Greenlees, Deputy Head of CS&S, said: “Our team was keen to identify a solution to make disabled staff and students feel safer and more protected on campus. Working with SafeZone, we recognised the benefits of an alert watch in this process. By bringing the idea to Student Experience, DASS, and DSE, we arethrilled to finally launch this initiative and enhance the experience for vulnerable members of our University community.”
Dr. Simon Merrywest, Executive Director of the Student Experience, said: “The approach taken by CS&S to understand the needs of those with accessibility issues demonstrates the varied role of the team, particularly in supporting welfare cases. By working closely with them and DSE, we’ve been able to make campus feel safer and highlight the benefits of coming together as one University to deliver for our staff and students.”
How do I request a SafeZone watch?
The Disability Advisory and Support Service (DASS) has a number of watches available. To enquire about a watch, please email dass@manchester.ac.uk to discuss your needs.
What is SafeZone?
SafeZone is an app designed to speed up potential response times when you need urgent help, first aid assistance, or wellbeing support. In theevent of an emergency, we can also keep you updated via text messages, should you need to be aware of any vital information.
We currently have over 7,000 users on the system, with staff accounting for 2,000 users.