Freshers’ Week: The students looking out for students – and the tools they’re using to stay safe
Students exploring stalls at the Freshers’ Fayre say keeping in contact and looking out for each other are key to feeling safe on a night out.
Sarah and Grace have already experienced their first uni nights out.
“I feel pretty safe because I’m with a good group and we’ve got loads of students around us, but there are obviously unsafe parts as well, so we share our locations,” Sarah said.
Grace added: “The girls in my flat always make sure we all get home safe and we always get taxis together. If someone goes to the bathroom, someone goes with them so we’re never on our own.”
Second year students Mia and Casey said “you always have to have your wits about you” as staying safe when travelling home after a night out can be a concern.
Affordable night-time transport is a recurring issue among students exploring the stalls.
Translink is proposing to reduce bus and rail service discounts for young people, and to remove many late-evening departures.
“There’s definitely a real lack of transport and a real lack of taxis for students getting home,” Shauna said.
“Especially on our Coleraine campus, where our night-out venues are away from campus, it’s not safe for students to walk home either.
“Hopefully they’ll reconsider before the consultation ends.”
A spokesperson for Translink said the consultation comes at a time of “significant financial pressure” and no decisions will be made until all the feedback is fully assessed.
