Governance update – June 2020
As circulated in our most recent Club Welfare Officer update.
It’s National Volunteers Week and because of lockdown it’s not being celebrated in the same way this year – but we’d still like to start with an enormous and heartfelt thank you to everyone who supports our clubs, particularly in the often challenging role of CWO.
We would like to emphasise that it is our role at British Rowing to offer you support and guidance where we can; the Governance & Welfare team’s details are here. During lockdown it remains as important as ever to observe our safeguarding policies and codes conduct which are available at this link.
For guidance about British Rowing’s Covid-19 arrangements visit this link and find out more about this week’s webinar and Q&A.
Supporting junior rowers in lockdown: We know that many of our welfare officers are working with their clubs to support young rowers – keeping them engaged and maintaining their training and fitness in a virtual environment. Routines have changed hugely for us all. With this online contact, keeping an eye out for any warning signs that a rower, a coach or another club volunteer needs help is important; perhaps a change in behaviour concerns you or your coach. This may be the ideal time to send an email to your rowers, reminding them that you are there if they want to talk to someone. You might like to read this information about the CPSU’s helpline. If you do have any concerns that a child or adult who is now vulnerable needs help, then please don’t hesitate to contact the Lead Safeguarding Officer at British Rowing. In an emergency, get in touch with the NSPCC (Helpline 0808 800 5000) or your local police. You may get inspiration from some of the British Rowing community club links and please don’t forget to read our important guidance about the use of photography and social media.
Mental Health: With millions of children remaining at home, there is a hidden group of children potentially at risk of abuse or neglect who are having much less interaction with statutory services. The NSPCC Helpline is above and there is more here about British Rowing’s ‘Rowing together for Healthy Minds’.
Clean Sport: At the end of May British Rowing promoted Clean Sport Week. Follow the link to find out more about the work of UK Anti-Doping and British Rowing, the online resources available and webinars taking place which are uploaded to our Lockdown webinars page. For further support and information contact Jacqui Traynor, our Anti-Doping and Integrity Officer, via [email protected].
Safer recruitment guidance: Get your club’s recruitment right and you are set to avoid problems further down the line. Our new WG3.12 and WG3.13 pull together best practice for recruiting both adults and young volunteers.
Our commitment:
- Updated resources for young rowers and their clubs.
- Online training opportunities.
- Improving support and communications.
- Listening to our CWOs and acting on their input where we can.
As ever we value your feedback and ideas so please write to us at [email protected].
