The Safety Bus supports anyone within the night-time economy who may be vulnerable within Cardiff City Centre. This operates on Friday and Saturday nights as well as on big event days like concerts as well as student specific events on Wednesdays. Police Support Volunteers work alongside Police to provide this support to the public.

City centre safety initiatives | South Wales Police

Keeping Cardiff Safe: Work ongoing to raise awareness of various safety initiatives | South Wales Police

If it's not an emergency, call 101 or report online

Report | South Wales Police

Report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences | South Wales Police

Project Pinpoint: Every report counts | South Wales Police

Always use a ‘sold secure’ D lock and try your best to attach your bike to a solid fixture.

We also host bike marking events throughout the year-please contact your dedicated university officers through the safer students link

Protect your bike from theft | South Wales Police

Spiking | South Wales Police

Ask for Angela - Official UK Site

Safer Students is a collaborative project between South Wales Police and all south Wales universities (Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, University of South Wales (Treforest & Atrium), Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Swansea University and University of Wales Trinity Saint David).

Our dedicated Student Liaison Officers are on hand to help you settle in to your new campus and to provide you with the knowledge you need to keep yourself and your friends safe.

Safer Students | South Wales Police

Live Fear Free helpline | GOV.WALES

You must apply for information about a specific person and a specific child or children they spend time with. 

Sarah's Law (Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme) | South Wales Police

Under Clare's Law you can apply for information about:

• a current or ex-partner that you still have contact with, because you're worried they may have a history of abuse, and are a risk to you

• a current or ex-partner of a friend or relative that they still have contact with, because you're worried they might be at risk

Request information under Clare's Law: Make a Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) application | South Wales Police

Home Page - South Wales Listens

South Wales Victim Focus

StreetSafe | South Wales Police

Key messages in the video include:

• The law around using e-bikes and e-scooters, including where they can be ridden and the minimum age for riding them.

• The dangers posed by illegal and modified e-bikes, which can reach extreme speeds and often lack proper safety features.

• The importance of wearing protective clothing and being aware of risks to people with visual or hearing impairments.

• The fire hazards associated with incorrect charging or modification of e-vehicles.

Watch here

Cerbydau trydan: Gwybod y Gyfraith a Chadw'n Ddiogel

E-vehicles: Know the Law and Stay Safe

• The Safety Bus

• Taxi Marshalls

• Street Wardens

• The Alcohol Treatment Centre

FOR Cardiff also funds visible, on-the-ground support through taxi marshals and night-time safety staff, who play a vital role in helping people get home safely after nights out, events and busy student periods.  These services are particularly valuable during peak times such as Freshers’ Week, large-scale concerts and major sporting events.

Students also benefit from the Safe Places scheme, a network of trained businesses across the city centre where anyone feeling vulnerable, lost or unsafe can access immediate support. This initiative is especially relevant for students new to the city, offering reassurance and a clearly identifiable place to go for help.

Alongside this, FOR Cardiff delivers targeted student safety campaigns, including Freshers’ campaigns that provide guidance on staying safe, settling into the city and navigating the night-time economy responsibly. These are supported by wider awareness initiatives such as Ask Angela and the Women’s Safety Charter, helping venues create safer environments for all.

Additional support is provided through welfare initiatives such as the Safety Bus, offering assistance to vulnerable individuals and helping ensure a safe journey home after a night out another important service for the student community.

Together, these schemes form a coordinated and partnership-led approach to safety, providing reassurance for students and the wider community while helping Cardiff remain a vibrant, safe and accessible city for all.

For more info click here https://www.forcardiff.com/stories/?type=Vibrant

Recognising the signs of an unhealthy relationship is an important part of staying safe and looking after your wellbeing. Abuse is not always physical and can include behaviours that make you feel controlled, pressured, isolated or afraid.

These signs can affect anyone. For some students, they may look different depending on experiences, relationships, or background. What matters most is how the relationship makes you feel — if you don’t feel safe, respected, or able to be yourself, it’s important to pay attention to that and seek support.

Red flags to watch out for

Control & Pressure

• They tell you what to wear, who to see, or where to go

• They pressure you to do things you don’t want to

• They say things like “If you loved me, you would…”

Control from more than one person

Abuse can sometimes involve family or community pressure, not just a partner

• Family members or others are involved in controlling you

• You feel watched, monitored, or judged by multiple people

• Decisions about your life are made for you

• You are being pushed into (or out of) a relationship or marriage

  
  

Jealousy & Possessiveness

• They get angry when you spend time with others

• They accuse you of cheating or don’t trust you

• They don’t want you to go out without them

Monitoring & Checking Up

• They constantly message or expect immediate replies

• They check your phone or social media

• They ask for passwords or track your location

Isolation

• They try to stop you seeing friends or family

• They make you feel guilty for spending time with others

• They stop you taking part in university or social life

• You feel cut off from people you trust

Emotional Abuse

• They put you down, insult you, or embarrass you

• They blame you for everything

• They make you doubt your feelings or judgement

Pressure linked to family, culture or expectations

• You are told your behaviour brings shame or dishonour

• You feel pressure to act a certain way to protect others

• You feel trapped between your choices and expectations

• You are told controlling behaviour is “normal” or part of culture

 Intimidation & Fear

• They shout, threaten, or scare you

• You feel nervous about their reactions

• You feel like you’re “walking on eggshells”

Sexual Pressure

• They pressure you into sex or sharing images

• They ignore your boundaries or consent

• They make you feel guilty for saying no

Physical Harm (never OK)

• Any hitting, pushing, or use of force

• Throwing things or physically hurting you

Fear of speaking out

• You worry you won’t be believed

• You fear discrimination, racism, or judgement

• You’re worried about family or immigration consequences

 How it might feel:

You might:

• Feel anxious, scared, or confused

• Change your behaviour to keep the peace

• Make excuses for them

• Feel like you’re losing yourself

What a healthy relationship looks like

A healthy relationship should include:

• Respect and trust

• Feeling safe to be yourself

• Freedom to see friends and family

• No pressure, fear, or control

 Important

• Abuse is never your fault

• It can happen to anyone

• Support is available

Get support (Cardiff & Wales)

If something doesn’t feel right, support is there — no matter your background, language, or experience. You deserve to feel safe, heard, and understood, and there are people and services ready to help you.

·       Live Fear Free Helpline (24/7): 0808 80 10 800

·       Talk to someone you trust (friend, lecturer, staff member)

·       If you are in immediate danger: Call 999

Starting university is an exciting time and a great opportunity to get your health up to date. If you are living or studying in Cardiff or the Vale of Glamorgan, registering with a local GP practice is one of the most important steps you can take. It means you can access care quickly, get trusted advice, and stay protected during your studies, supported by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

Check your vaccinations
University life often involves close contact with lots of new people, so it is important to check your vaccination status and make sure you are up to date.

During your teenage years you should have received the MenACWY, the HPV and the 3-in-1 teenage booster vaccines.

There may be other vaccines you have not received during childhood including the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). There is an elevated risk amongst unvaccinated university students of being infected with measles, so it's extra important that you are protected by vaccination.[HP1] [ST2] 

If you have missed any routine vaccines, your GP can help you catch up.

New for Summer: The MenB vaccine offer is available this summer for Year 13 students and under 25s who will be starting university as undergraduates or moving into residential further education settings for the first time in autumn 2026.

You can check eligibility here Who is eligible for the new one-off MenB vaccine programme? – UK Health Security Agency

You can check your records (with some Health Boards) and manage NHS services using the NHS App[EH3]  NHS App (Wales)  England: NHS App - NHS England

For local, trusted information about vaccinations in Cardiff & Vale, visit:
Cardiff & Vale vaccination information.

If you have any questions about vaccinations or your vaccination status you can contact our Immunisation Coordinators on Immunisations.Co-Ordinators.Cavuhb@wales.nhs.uk or 07980 991088

Taking these simple steps—registering with a GP, checking your vaccinations, and using trusted information—helps protect you and those around you, so you can make the most of university life.

Immunisations - Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Childhood Immunisations - Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Registering with a GP - Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

The-routine-childhood-immunisation-schedule-for-Wales-from-1-January-2026.pdf

The-complete-routine-immunisation-schedule-for-Wales.pdf

Who is eligible for the new one-off MenB vaccine programme?  – UK Health Security Agency

The MenB vaccine offer is available this summer for Year 13 students and under 25s who will be starting university as undergraduates or moving into residential further education settings for the first time in autumn 2026. 

You can check eligibility here Who is eligible for the new one-off MenB vaccine programme? – UK Health Security Agency

The way waste and recycling should be sorted and collected depends on where you live. For many homes in Cardiff, the local authority, Cardiff Council, provides recycling and waste collections. While in student halls and purpose-built flats, there may be different rules for disposing of recycling and waste.

Check out our guidance to find out how you can get rid of waste and recycling the right way.

Welcome to Cardiff for the start of the next exciting chapter in your life!

We know getting around will be incredibly important while you’re studying so we’re here to help.

At Transport for Wales, we want to be Wales’ favourite way to travel. That’s why we’re building an integrated multimodal transport network called the T Network - a joined-up network of trains, buses, walking, wheeling and cycling. 

It will be a network that’s functional and easy to use. With one timetable to plan your journey and one ticket to get you from A to B. It will be a network run by one dedicated team.

It will be a network for all. A network that will be open, affordable and accessible.

Our trains run to every station in Wales and we also run to key English cities including Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Chester.

From Cardiff Central you can also travel direct to destinations including London, Bristol, Southampton, Portsmouth and Exeter on other operators.

Our fully bilingual website is the best place for all your travel needs and we’ve also selected a few useful links for you too!

https://mytravelpass.tfw.wales/

There is a SARC in Cardiff that has specially trained doctors, nurses, and support workers to care for you.  

SARC services are confidential, however staff have a legal duty to share information with the police or social services if a child or young person or vulnerable adult is considered to be at risk of significant harm.

Cardiff SARC Telephone: 02920 335795

If calling outside office hours, please leave a message on the confidential answer phone with your contact details, and a member of staff will call you back.