Energise Me have recently appointed two Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sport Welfare Officers to support local clubs to deliver inclusive and positive experiences for both children and adults. We all have a responsibility to make sport and physical activity a safe space for participants. 

Our Sport Welfare Officers, Sarah and Sue, will be working closely with local club welfare officers to understand and address specific safeguarding needs. They will build confidence in volunteers so that they can amplify participant’s voices. They’ll also connect with national governing bodies to make sure national expectations are in place locally, as well as help to make policies more accessible. 

Our Sport Welfare Officers are here to help to: 

• Provide additional, local support for club welfare officers    
• Signpost clubs to the right advice and guidance    
• Work with club welfare officers to create a safer culture within their organisation    
• Facilitate local training opportunities and events   
• Create networks so that volunteers and staff feel better connected and informed   
• Recognise, share and develop best practice  
• Help raise awareness of safeguarding and welfare for young people and adults at local events 

They cannot advise or manage concerns. Should you be looking to report a concern, please follow the outlined reporting procedures in your club/according to your National Governing Body. 

They’ll work alongside national governing bodies of sport to support clubs they identify as most in need of assistance and help promote their safeguarding advice at a local level. 

Our Sport Welfare Officers will signpost to training and networking opportunities to help them enhance their skills and knowledge as well as confidence. They will act as a sounding board to talk about low level safeguarding issues as they arise. 

Sarah has also set up a private peer support network for volunteers working at clubs across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. If you’re interested in joining, get in touch.

Keep an eye of out for regular advice from Sarah and Sue on our social media and via our newsletter. This can include what to look out for when looking for a group or club to join to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience. 

Our Sport Welfare Officers are part of a wider programme which will see 63 Sport Welfare Officers employed across the network of 43 Active Partnerships. 

The programme works towards the Uniting the Movement strategy (Sport England’s 10-year vision to transform lives and communities through sport and physical activity). It is also one of Sport England’s commitments in the policy response to the Whyte Review, published by Sport England and UK Sport.