A new app designed to help Mancunians make safer journeys while walking and using public transport is now available to download.
The WalkSafe app will let people choose safe routes in the city whilst having a visible location tracker for their family and friends.
The app was the brainchild of 34-year-old Emma Kay, whose career in childcare highlighted the importance of educating young girls and boys about issues like consent and gender bias.
Emma Kay, co-founder of WalkSafe, said: “It has unique features that means everyone can feel and be safer. From tracking your friends’ journeys to seeing the safe spaces on the map, it ensures everyone gets home from a night out.”
Manchester is continuing to attract more people to its culture and nightlife, and in 2022 Manchester City Council launched the Women’s Night-time Safety Charter to offer free training to venues across the city on how to support and promote safety.
Councillor Joanna Midgley, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “The response that we saw to our Night-time Safety Charter was incredibly gratifying, seeing businesses across the sector rally behind us to make Manchester a safer city.
“Since its launch, we have trained hundreds of staff and provided resources to ensure that venues know how to react and respond when they encounter someone who may be at risk.”
The Council hopes the app will empower more people to feel safe no matter who they are or where they are going, and promote venues and businesses who are making women’s safety a priority.
Coun Midgley, added: “The arrival of WalkSafe to Manchester is a huge development and one which I believe with strengthen the work we are doing around safety.
“In the coming months, we will be working with partners across the city, as well as within our burgeoning night time and events sector, and our universities to make sure that anyone has the tools to keep themselves safe.”
The app is now downloadable via the search bars on the App Store and Google Play.
Featured image courtesy of Manchester City Council
