Young Person's Hub: Safeguarding

If something is causing you to feel unhappy, scared, worried, uncomfortable or if something just doesn't feel right, then you should speak to someone who you trust.

Who can you talk to?

• A parent / guardian / family member
• Your Club's Welfare Officer
• Weightlifting Wales Safeguarding Officers (simon.roach@weightlifitng.wales or hannah.powell@weightlifting.wales)
• British Weight Lifting Safeguarding Officer (Sue Ward - via email: sue.ward@britishweightlifting.org or telephone: 01132 249 402.)
• Childline give advice and support too and you can phone them on 0800 1111 (this number won’t appear on your phone bill; link opens in a new window)

Being Safe Online

For keeping safe on the internet, The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre has lots of info, with special sections for children and young people. If you have or have ever had a concern regarding someone on the internet or their behaviour towards you, you can make a report to CEOP. You can also click on the Keeping Safe Online poster below.

If you are looking for some advice on mental health and wellbeing, you can visit https://www.youngminds.org.uk

Childline can offer advice and support to young people about lots of different issues that young people may face. You can visit this website for advice, guidance, support and contacts. Childline also have a CalmZone for young people to use, with activities and advice for when you're feeling anxious, scared or sad. You can also access Childline Cymru for support and information in Welsh.

The most important thing to Weightlifting Wales, is that the people who take part in the sport can do so in a safe and fun environment. Speak to someone if you are worried or concerned, so that they can help you.

Weightlifting Wales is committed to safeguarding people participating in the sport, it is therefore vital that everyone involved in Weightlifting Wales, including coaches, volunteers and staff, are aware of their duty to safeguard the interest of children, young people and adults at risk.

In 2022 new legislation was published, closing a loophole which had previously enabled some sport leaders to abuse their position of trust.

People who hold a position of trust; such as a coach, a welfare officer, an official or a member of staff within a club or organisation, have a responsibility for the welfare of the under 18's members of their club / organisation, and therefore should not engage in a romantic relationship with, or be sending inappropriate messages to anyone within their care, who is under the age of 18 years old.

If you are concerned about the behaviour of someone who is in a position of trust, you can report this to:

• A parent / guardian / family member
• Your Club's Welfare Officer
• Weightlifting Wales Safeguarding Officers (simon.roach@weightlifitng.wales or hannah.powell@weightlifting.wales)
• British Weight Lifting Safeguarding Officer (Sue Ward - via email: sue.ward@britishweightlifting.org or telephone: 01132 249 402.)

Weightlifting Wales and British Weight Lifting licensed clubs are required to have safeguarding measures in place, including qualified coaches with an enhanced DBS, and club welfare officers who have completed a Safeguarding and Protecting Children classroom workshop, via UK Coaching, additional courses are available such as the Time to Listen workshop. Clubs affiliated to Weightlifting Wales and British Weight Lifting are bound by their agreements to enforce safeguarding procedures within their club. Weightlifting Wales and British Weight Lifting have no influence over unaffiliated Weight Lifting facilities in Wales / the UK and for this reason, it is highly recommended that lifters choose an affiliated centre to practice Weightlifting.

If you need to make a report, you can contact Simon Roach, Lead Safeguarding Officer on simon.roach@weightlifting.wales or Hannah Powell, Deputy Safeguarding Officer on hannah.powell@weightlifting.wales, you may email also use one of the forms below to detail your report.