MAC Welfare Officers

Lead Welfare Office: Alice Buttle

Welfare Officer: Anna Hazleton

 

The Role of a Club Welfare Officer

While safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone within the club (led by the whole committee), the role of our club welfare officers is to ensure the club has dedicated people with the primary responsibility for managing and reporting concerns about children or adults at risk.

Club Welfare Officers  play a key role in ensuring that club members have a safe and positive experience at their club.  Welfare Officers are key to all members knowing what to do and who to speak to if they have a safeguarding or discipline or conduct concern. They are also key to managing lower-level club issues and disputes, and/or flagging concerns for early intervention to prevent escalation and behaviours which prevent enjoyment of the sport.  Welfare Officers also form part of the club committee and perform a key role in implementing good safeguarding governance locally at your club

 

Safeguarding

If you have any safeguarding concerns about yourself or anyone else, please ensure you speak with the club welfare officers as soon as possible who will respond to your concern sensitively and appropriately.

Policies

The purpose of these policies is to demonstrate the commitment of UK Athletics and the four Home Counties Athletics Federations to build a safer future in athletics for everyone.

Procedures

These procedures detail the steps to be taken when a concern is raised that a child or an adult involved in athletics and related activities, is at risk of or is experiencing harm. They should be implemented with reference to the two above policies.

Safeguarding Regulations

These regulations are the principle governing action or procedure in relation to the above policies and procedures

Codes of Conduct

The purpose of the codes are:

  • What behaviours are acceptable and unacceptable
  • The standards of practice expected
  • The basis for challenging and improving practice

Download the Codes of Conduct (PDF 2MB)

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Being involved with athletics and running, whether as a volunteer or participant can have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing of a person.

According to the department of health, being active can reduce the risk of depression by up to 30%, boost your mood and improve self-esteem. In addition, it can help to reduce stress and help people think more clearly.

People may join the sport with good mental health, but overtime experience poor mental health.  If you are experiencing mental health and wellbeing problems or know of someone who is struggling, there are a variety of place to go for support.

Support

Samaritans.  Provides confidential, non-judgemental emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that could lead to suicide. You can phone, email, write a letter or in most cases talk to someone face to face.

Mind infoline.  Mind provides confidential mental health information services. With support and understanding, Mind enables people to make informed choices. The infoline gives information on types of mental distress, where to get help, drug treatments, alternative therapies and advocacy. Mind has around 140 local Minds providing local mental health services.

Rethink Mental Illness advice line.  Provides expert advice and information to people with mental health problems and those who care for them, as well as giving help to health professionals, employers and staff. Rethink also runs Rethink services and groups across England and Northern Ireland.

Saneline.  Saneline is a national mental health helpline providing information and support to people with mental health problems and those who support them.

The Mix.  The Mix provides judgement-free information and support to young people aged 13-25 on a range of issues including mental health problems. Young people can access the The Mix’s support via phone, email, peer to peer and counselling services.

ChildLine.  ChildLine is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of nineteen. You can contact a ChildLine counsellor for free about anything – no problem is too big or too small.

Side by Side.  Side by Side is a supportive online community where you can be yourself. We all know what it’s like to struggle sometimes, and this is a safe place to listen, share and be heard. Our ‘Being active’ theme helps community members easily share and find content about being active, to motivate, inspire and support each other.

Beat Eating Disorders. Provides support for people with eating orders. They also support family and friends, equipping them with essential skills and advice, so they can help their loved ones recover whilst also looking after their own mental health.

Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline. Provides a helpline and support to help victims of domestic abuse.

Health conditions

A persons wellbeing may also be affected by long term health conditions.  These charities offer specific support for those conditions:

Supporting others

If you are concerned for the immediate safety of someone please call 999.

Clean Athletics

England Athletics are working with UK Anti-Doping and UK Athletics to provide up to date information and education for all England Athletics members. To this end we publish an annual implementation plan. You can also watch an information video for competition organisers outlining the Anti-Doping rules for UK licenced competition.

Latest Information

PLEASE REFER TO THE ENGLAND ATHLETICS WELFARE SECTION IF YOU WOULD LIKE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON ANY OF THE ABOVE, OR SPEAK WITH ALICE OR ANNA.

You should encourage them to seek help through their GP, family, friends and support services.

Guidance on supporting someone with their mental health can be found on the Mind website.

       

 

Posted on 11th April 2025 in |