Sports Welfare Officers Network

Our Sport and Physical Activity Welfare Leads are here to support sports clubs and activity providers across Greater Manchester to create safe, inclusive environments for children, young people and adults. 

Hear more from Katie and Rachel below:

We're part of a national Sport Welfare Officers Network (funded by Sport England with National Lottery funding) and are working closely with national governing bodies and local partners in every Greater Manchester borough.

I work or volunteer in a club or group, how can you support me? 

Connect: We provide ways for you to connect with other club volunteers in Greater Manchester. 

Offer support: We offer 1-2-1 bespoke support and can work with you to reflect on your clubs' practices and create a safer and more inclusive culture. 

Raise awareness: We can attend events to raise awareness about welfare with parents, carers and participants. We can support you to share campaigns and best practice in your club. 

Enable: We can provide, or signpost you to training and learning, to help you create a safer, more inclusive club. 

You can contact us using the form below to keep updated about our offer or to request support with a particular issue.

Contact our Sports and Physical Activity Welfare Leads

I’m a professional, how can we work together? 

We'd love to connect with professionals across Greater Manchester who have roles in safeguarding children and adults, supporting the volunteer workforce, or who work across sports, physical activity and movement. 

It’s important our work is informed by and meets the needs of Greater Manchester, so please contact us for a chat. 

I have a welfare or safeguarding concern I’d like to report, who should I contact? 

We don't manage concerns directly, but we can help you to find the right place to report your concern. Email or call us and we’ll support you to find the relevant contact in your area or at your national governing body. 

• If a child or adult is at immediate risk of harm call 999. 

• If you are a member of the national governing body for your sport, follow the process for reporting to your welfare officer or safeguarding lead. 

• If you’re worried about a child or adult, you can contact your local authority child or adult services. 

• If you believe a professional or volunteer who works with children has acted in a way that has or may have harmed a child, you should report this to your Local Authority Designated Officer. 

You can find more detailed information on our Safeguarding page.

I work outside of Greater Manchester, can you help me? 

We’re part of a national network of Sport Welfare Officers, with colleagues in every county in England, you can find your local contact here.

Useful resources 

• NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit – Deal with a concern
• Ann Craft Trust – Safeguarding Adults in Sport
• NHS Northern Gambling Service - Public health approach to reducing gambling harm
• Kooth - Free, anonymous wellbeing support
• Mind - Using physical activity to boost mental health
• NWG Network - Prevent child exploitation and abuse
  
  

Upcoming Safeguarding & Awareness Training

We’re committed to supporting safe, inclusive, and responsible sports environments. Explore our upcoming training sessions designed for coaches, volunteers, staff, and parents involved in youth and adult sport.

Child Exploitation for Sports Clubs and Organisations

🗓️ Tuesday, June 10, 2025 | 🕡 6:30 – 8:30 PM | 💻 Free, Online
Learn how to recognise and report signs of child exploitation.
Who should attend? Volunteers, coaches, and parents.
Register here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/risenortheast/1671786

UK Coaching: Safeguarding and Protecting Children

🗓️ Tuesday, July 1, 2025 | 🕡 6:30 – 9:30 PM | 📍 £10, House of Sport, Manchester
Understand how to identify and respond to signs of neglect and abuse in children.
Who should attend? Sports volunteers, coaches, and staff working in Greater Manchester.
Book your place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1349654656409

Active Bystander

🗓️ Wednesday, July 16, 2025 | 🕡 6:30 – 8:00 PM | 💻 Free, Online
Learn when and how to intervene safely in problematic situations.
Who should attend? Volunteers, coaches, and parents.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1349745307549

UK Coaching: Safeguarding Adults

🗓️ Monday, July 21, 2025 | 🕡 6:30 – 9:30 PM | 📍 £10, House of Sport, Manchester
Identify safeguarding concerns and take appropriate action with vulnerable adults.
Who should attend? Sports volunteers, coaches, and staff working in Greater Manchester.
Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1349722649779

MIND: Mental Health – Spot, Support & Signpost

🗓️ Thursday, July 31, 2025 | 🕖 7:00 – 8:00 PM | 💻 Free, Online
Gain confidence in spotting mental health issues and offering the right support.
Who should attend? Coaches, volunteers, and leaders in physical activity.
Register now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1349753120919

YGAM: Gambling and Gaming Awareness

🗓️ Monday, October 20, 2025 | 🕡 6:30 – 8:30 PM | 💻 Free, Online
Prevent and respond to gambling and gaming harms in young people.
Who should attend? Coaches, volunteers, and parents.
Book here: https://ygam.org/nep-v2-workshop-booking-pre-workshop-questions-bespoke-2/?crb_workshop=20.10.25%20Sports%20staff%20and%20volunteers%20GM%20Moving%2018%3A30-20%3A30