Worry-free nights out as Flare launches SOS student safety app
Recent University of Cambridge graduates have launched Flare, an emergency SOS app for student safety that allows users to rapidly send emergency messages to trusted contacts.
Flare is the first digital app produced by Cambridge University-founded start-up, CAUSE, who partnered with Trinity College Students’ Union (TCSU), the largest college students’ union at Cambridge University.
TCSU president Naomi Vince said: “Student safety on nights out is one of the biggest concerns for university students’ unions.
“Enjoying nightlife is a staple of the university student experience and, with Flare, safety is made a priority so students can go out and have fun worry-free. Supporting a platform that helps our students was an obvious decision.”
Designed to address campus safety concerns, Flare allows users to swiftly release emergency messages to friends and family. With a single tap on your phone’s lock screen, an emergency alert is sent to a preset contact. Your trusted contact does not need to have Flare installed to receive your message. The accessible and easy-to-use functionality “positions Flare as a valuable safety companion for students”.
Flare’s adoption is rapidly expanding, finding resonance with student unions and groups that share the app’s vision for campus inclusivity and safety. CAUSE this week announced key partnerships with student unions and groups across the UK.
They include representatives from universities in Liverpool, Birmingham, London, York and Leeds. Also included among the societies on board are the Groundswell Project, Skin for All, and Amnesty International.
All these partners and stakeholders also sit on Flare’s advisory board, which regularly meets to promote and update an agenda for championing campus safety.
Kay Corbin, secretary of founding partner Students Against Sexual Harassment and Assault (SASHA) at the University of Leeds, said: “SASHA is incredibly excited to begin working with Flare, a company whose remarkable dedication to enhancing personal safety perfectly complements our mission.
“This partnership represents a pivotal moment for us, as it strengthens our ability to serve and protect our student community. Flare’s innovative solutions and proactive approach align seamlessly with our commitment to student support.
“We are confident that this collaboration will help us foster a culture of safety and well-being within the student community, setting new standards for student security.”
Gabriel Brown, CEO and co-founder of CAUSE, said: “Flare isn’t just an app; it’s a movement that is all about creating safer communities. We’re thrilled to see the positive response from the student community and we are committed to continuously enhancing Flare to champion safety in university communities.”
Flare is available to download for free on both iOS and Android devices.
