About Keep Safe | I Am Me Scotland

Keep Safe

Keep Safe is an award-winning initiative that started in Renfrewshire in response to feedback from the disabled community that there were times they did not feel safe when travelling independently.

The initiative is a partnership between I Am Me Scotland and Police Scotland and was originally developed to support disabled to participate in community life, free from fear of harassment and abuse. However, the initiative has received wide support and has continued to evolve to become a national network with over 800 Keep Safe places throughout Scotland. The initiative is available for anyone to use if they feel lost, scared, vulnerable or simply need some breathing space.

Keep Safe puts control into the hands of local businesses to take the lead in joining the initiative. Keep Safe places can be any places, such as, libraries, cafes, council buildings or town halls. All Keep Safe places are identified by having the Keep Safe logo displayed in their window, on our website and the Keep Safe Scotland app. A note of participating businesses is also shared with Police Scotland control room handlers.

The Keep Safe logo was designed in collaboration with people with a learning disability and people with visual impairments to choose the most accessible colour and design.

As part of the process to become a Keep Safe Place, we train staff on disability awareness and how to help someone who requires Keep Safe assistance.

We continue to aspire to develop our national network of Keep Safe places to make a safer Scotland for everyone!

Keep Safe Card

As part of the Keep Safe initiative, I Am Me Scotland developed the Keep Safe Card. The Card can be used by anyone and details important information about an individual; name, health conditions/concerns and who to contact in an emergency.

Cards are provided for FREE by the charity and with no registration process, to eliminate any barriers in accessing them. (print version at bottom of page)

Download App - Android

Keep Safe Scotland App

Designed by and developed with disabled people, the App enables the user to map out all Keep Safe places, plan routes in advance and find their nearest Keep Safe place. The App also enables people to report hate crime to the Police through the App. Download free from iOS and Android - KEEP SAFE SCOTLAND APP

Download App (Iphone)

How to become a Keep Safe place

The process towards becoming a Keep Safe place is quite simple:

All Keep Safe places must have a minimum of 2 staff members. Email us at iamme@renfrewshire.gov.uk for a criteria form.
Fill out the criteria form for your business and scan/email it back to us or post it back to us.
When returned, we send this to our local contact within Police Scotland for your area.
The Police will carry out suitability checks
If approved by Police Scotland, free training would be arranged for your business. This can be anything from a 30-40 minute “informal discussion”, to a full 2-hour training input on disabilities, Keep Safe and Hate Crime (this training can be delivered to all staff, or to management and cascaded through the organisation).
Once trained, stickers go up in the windows of the premises to signify that it is a Keep Safe place. All information and materials are provided free of charge.
A business pack is left for staff to ensure that all staff members are aware of Keep Safe.
The premises are advertised on the Keep Safe Scotland App, and on the I Am Me Scotland website. We will also send a note to Police Scotland’s control centre so that they can include the premises on call handler’s information systems.

Keep Safe Scotland

Keep Safe Animation

Keep Safe

Keep Safe Card

Keep Safe Scotland App

How to become a Keep Safe place

Keep Safe Video (BSL)

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