About Safe Kids Walking
Safe Kids Walking is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting walking to school.
How It Started
When we wanted to start a Walking Bus scheme at our local primary school we found it very difficult to get practical information. So after launching a successful Walking Bus we set up this website to provide help to other interested parents. The information supplements the support provided by local authorities and is written very much from a parent’s point of view. We now provide information about a range of walk to school schemes here and through our printed publications.
The Bright Bit
On a Walking Bus children wear fluorescent, reflective (high vis) waistcoats. This not only makes them more visible to traffic but also makes group monitoring easier. Seeing the children in high vis made us realise how great these garments would be for all children walking or cycling to school, especially in dazzling, misty or rainy weather.
If They Like It, They’ll Wear It
Some of the local children were unwilling to wear the standard industrial style high vis. So we started a school design club and worked with the children to develop more exciting styles using different fluorescent colours, trims and coloured reflective tape. They also helped us to develop ideas for fun high vis badges, bags and other accessories.
BrightKidz Launches
Realising the huge potential for these products beyond our local school in Northamptonshire, we found assistance with manufacturing and launched the BrightKidz range. Together with our adult BrightSportz range the products are now sold to schools, local authorities and via the BrightKidz website www.brightkidz.co.uk to children and adults in the UK and abroad.
Not-for-Profit – What Does This Mean?
Income from sales is used to support our organisation. In line with our constitution, any excess income is to be used towards schemes to promote walking to school, road safety initiatives and active lifestyles.
As a worker’s cooperative our organisation is part of the common ownership movement and therefore there are no owner directors receiving dividends. Some members of Safe Kids Walking work as unpaid volunteers and some are paid a salary.
As a social enterprise our organisation operates as a business and continues to provide free information and support to parents who want to promote walking to school. Our ethical principles remain at the heart of the organisation and include policies such as ‘local and cooperative suppliers preferred’ and ‘family friendly employment conditons’.
Awards, Partners and Supporters
Community and Environment Winner – handbag.com/Barclays Business Plan Awards 2004
HSBC Start Up Stars Awards 2005 Shortlist
Safe Kids Walking Ltd. Telephone 01536 454994
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