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Canoeing should be fun and enjoyable. When you?re taking part in any paddlesports activity, we want you to feel safe and happy. We want you to like what you are doing and enjoy spending time with other young people and the adults who are there to help.

You can’t always do this if you feel unhappy from someone bullying, upsetting or hurting you.

Norwich Canoe Club recognise that there are some people who may be at increased risk of abuse or neglect and therefore potentially more vulnerable than others. This can be due to a number of factors ranging from; health or social care needs; to specific circumstances at a particular time. These factors can continue over any period of time and may be intermittent, temporary or permanent and based on the individual’s circumstances as well as the level of information and support available to them. These people can be vulnerable to exploitation.

We believe that everyone in Paddlesport has a moral responsibility and therefore a part to play in looking after the children with whom we are working. It is important to be extra vigilant if you think someone could be at greater risk or in a situation which could increase their vulnerability.

You should always tell someone you know and trust if someone:

• Constantly teases you, shouts at you or calls you names
• Threatens you, your family or friends
• Hits, kicks, punches or hurts you
• Asks you to do, or does, anything in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable
• Makes suggestive remarks or tries to pressure you into something you don?t want to do
• Damages or steals your belongings
• Does anything that makes you feel lonely, worried, unsafe or embarrassed
• Always tries to be alone with you or asks you to meet them alone
• Asks you to send them photos or videos of yourself
• Asks you to move or go onto a specific chat room or social media site
• Asks or threatens you not to tell anyone

If any of this is happening to you:

• Remember it is not your fault
• Always tell someone you know and can trust
• If you don’t know who to trust, call Childline 0800 1111 or NSPCC 0808 800 5000
• Try to keep a record of what upset or hurt you, the date, time and place of when it happened, how you felt and the name of anyone who may have seen what happened
• Do not delete any hurtful or upsetting messages, emails, texts, pictures or videos that you may have been sent or have seen

Do not ignore it – always tell someone

You can tell the Club Welfare Officers, Fee Grady or Mike Walsh, in person, by email welfare@norwichcanoeclub.co.uk or using the Welfare Concern Form below.

IF YOU NEED URGENT ADVICE OR DON’T KNOW WHO TO TRUST CALL CHILDLINE 0800 1111 OR THE NSPCC CHILD PROTECTION 24 HOURS HELP LINE 0808 800 5000, OR IF APPROPRIATE PHONE THE POLICE on 999.