The British Retail Corporation (BRC) and Association of Convenience Stores are supporting the launch of ‘Please give me space’ – a visual awareness campaign developed by Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and the RNIB in response to COVID-19 and the need to social distance.
As retail environments have been under scrutiny in this latest lockdown, questions have been raised about the safety of staff and customers.
Research conducted by the RNIB with a range of disability groups revealed that many people are finding social distancing hard and have been subjected to verbal abuse for seemingly not adhering to the guidance. For example, sight loss can make it impossible to judge a safe distance.
The campaign has created social distance wearable products in response to this feedback, and to support the 2.2 million people identified by the NHS as clinically extremely vulnerable, and anyone experiencing anxiety.
The sign is a yellow circle with a person in between two arrows, meaning ‘Please give me space’. The initiative is not aimed at being prescriptive about who wears it, but is designed with a simple message – when you see this sign please give the wearer space.
The products are available as free to download signs and badges. There is also range of products to purchase from our website, including lanyards and ID cards, pin badges, snoods, face masks and tabards. Please give me space are inviting businesses to join, support and promote the initiative to further raise awareness. It is free to join and use their training and marketing materials.
