Active Norfolk supporting the Safe To Play campaign this summer
This summer, Active Norfolk is supporting the national Safe To Play campaign, helping to raise awareness of the importance of creating positive, supportive environments where children and young people can enjoy sport and physical activity.
What is Safe To Play?
The Safe To Play campaign encourages parents to ask 5 simple questions about safeguarding and welfare when choosing a club or activity, which can start a conversation about what safer sport can look like. By selecting organisations that place children’s welfare at the centre of what they do, families can help ensure young people can learn, develop and enjoy being active.
As part of the campaign, Active Norfolk is also asking clubs and activity providers to:
• Create welcoming and inclusive environments for all participants
• Regularly review and update safeguarding policies and procedures
• Foster open conversations about wellbeing and safety
• Ensure coaches, volunteers and staff receive appropriate training and support
• Give children and young people opportunities to share their views and have their voices heard
How can clubs get involved?
Clubs and activity providers looking to strengthen their safeguarding arrangements can access support through Active Norfolk’s Sport Welfare Officer programme.
One organisation already seeing the impact of putting welfare at the heart of its work is Diss Otters Swimming Club. In a recent case study, the club highlighted how listening to young people has helped shape a more positive experience for swimmers and their families.
Jo Lattimore, Club Welfare Officer at Diss Otters Swimming Club, said: “Understanding how young people experience the club, and what we can do to help them feel safer, more confident and happier at training, is incredibly important.”
“Every child and young person deserves to enjoy being active in an environment where they feel safe, supported and valued. Creating those spaces is a shared responsibility across clubs, schools and activity settings.
Active Norfolk will continue working with partners across the county to promote good practice and support organisations in strengthening their approach to welfare and safeguarding, helping more people enjoy sport and physical activity with confidence.”
Anita Stewart, Sport Welfare Officer for Active Norfolk
Watch the case study
Watch the case study produced to showcase Anita’s work with local club Diss Otters Swimming Club.
Get involved
To find out more about the Safe To Play campaign and access safeguarding resources, visit Active Norfolk’s Safeguarding Hub.