From 18th-22nd November Badminton England are supporting the Ann Craft Trust Safeguarding Adults Week.
We want to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of adult welfare and work with our community to raise awareness of creating safer environments and positive cultures for everyone, irrespective of their age, role or level of participation.
With increasing pressures on all our lives, the importance of mental and physical well-being weighs strongly.
At some point we will all require a level of support, be it to deal with a bereavement, a personal diagnosis or a family issue, amongst many other things.
We want to be a sport that cares – a welcoming and inclusive sport where everyone feels supported and badminton clubs are safe spaces for all our members to be themselves and thrive.
Recently we have been visiting clubs in our community, talking to our members and listening to our volunteers.
Here are some of their great practise that we want to share to encourage all our clubs to follow:
- Work to create an open culture where everyone feels valued and treated with equal respect.
- Welcome and encourage feedback.
- Focus on individuals and support their well-being when they need it.
- Share concerns or incidents of inappropriate behaviour with the Badminton England Safeguarding Team.
- Appoint and support a Club Welfare Officer. The role is important in promoting positive and enjoyable badminton experiences.
- Messaging should be visible, with signposting to accessible support when needed that is clear to all – Shout.
On a recent visit to Colne Badminton Club in Lancashire, we spoke to Conrad, a new member.
Conrad said: “I hadn’t played badminton for years, but I was interested in taking it up again. I looked on Facebook, I made some enquiries and I was invited to the club. As soon as I walked in, I was made to feel welcome. It felt personal. Everyone said hello, introduced themselves and made me feel welcome. It’s felt like a family straight away and I love it.”
Safeguarding should add value to everything we do and it doesn’t need to be difficult. The simplest of actions can make all the difference.