Martin Whitfield MSP is helping to promote this year’s Keep Safe Awareness Day on Wednesday 15^th March to help raise awareness of the initiative among those who might benefit from it as well as potential new Keep Safe places.

Keep Safe is an award-winning partnership between I Am Me Scotland and Police Scotland. It was originally developed to support disabled people to participate in community life, free from fear of harassment and abuse or at times when they did not feel safe travelling independently. It has now evolved into a national network with over 900 Keep Safe places throughout Scotland, including almost 40 in East Lothian.

The initiative is available for anyone to use if they feel lost, scared, vulnerable or simply need some breathing space, and Keep Safe places can include any public buildings such as businesses, libraries, cafes or council buildings. All Keep Safe places are identified by having the Keep Safe logo displayed in their window, on the initiative’s website and the Keep Safe Scotland app.

The purpose of Keep Safe Awareness Day on 15^th March is to help raise public awareness of the initiative, the Keep Safe Card, the Keep Safe Scotland App and to encourage others to get involved.

Martin Whitfield MSP said:

“Keep Safe is a really important initiative that provides safe places in local communities for anyone feeling lost, scared, vulnerable or just in need of a friendly face.

“It has grown in communities throughout Scotland, with more than 900 Keep Safe places now signed up. These safe places include various locations across East Lothian, such as local co-ops, libraries, sports centres, police stations and cafes.  

“I’m supporting Keep Safe awareness day this year to help encourage more people and places to become aware of the initiative and encourage them to sign up to it.”

Find out more about Keep Safe Scotland, including how to download the app, at https://iammescotland.co.uk/about-keep-safe.