On Tuesday evening Herefordshire FA welcomed the SAVE Association to Hereford Sixth Form College for a special “Safeguarding in Sport” evening.

As survivors of childhood sexual abuse SAVE Association aim to effect positive change in safeguarding and victim engagement.  Paul Stewart, Ian Ackley and David White from SAVE delivered a presentation focused on safeguarding in a football setting but with valuable information for all organisations and individuals working or volunteering with children, young people or vulnerable adults.

Paul Stewart and Ian Ackley gave extremely powerful and thought provoking accounts of how abuse has affected them, their friends and families and their progress as young boys in their formative years through to this very day. To conclude the evening, David White delivered an extremely valuable presentation “Achieving Excellence in safeguarding” which was very well received by all attendees.

The SAVE Association was formed, shortly after the 2016 disclosures of historic sexual abuse in Football. SAVE now work with many different sporting governing bodies, and are working towards a comprehensive excellence in safeguarding standard. A wide range of attendees from Herefordshire sports clubs, governing bodies, schools, local council and a number of professional safeguarding organisations were present to gain some valuable learning to benefit their roles.

Herefordshire FA would like to extend a big thank you to David, Ian and Paul from SAVE association, Hereford Sixth Form College and everyone who attended the event.

Your club, organisation or professional body can contact SAVE Association to find out more about the support and training they provide by emailing support@saveassociation.com you can also visit their website www.saveassociation.com

Should you wish to report a safeguarding concern you can contact Safeguarding@HerefordshireFA.com however if a child or adult at risk is in immediate danger you should contact the police.

Further support is available from the NSPCC helpline 0808 800 5000, you can also email help@nspcc.org.uk