Our Commitment to Safeguarding

At Catalyst, safeguarding is our highest priority. We are committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for everyone who is part of our community, especially children, young people, and adults at risk. We have a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of abuse, harm, and neglect, and we are dedicated to ensuring that our activities and services are a safe place for all. Our commitment is rooted in our belief that every individual has the right to be protected, respected, and valued.

Click the above image to watch a video on how Safeguarding works in our church and what to do if you have concerns.

what is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding means protecting people from harm. It goes beyond simply keeping people safe; it's about actively promoting their well-being and preventing abuse and neglect. For us, this includes:

  • Protecting children and adults from maltreatment, abuse, and neglect.

  • Preventing harm to people’s health or development.

  • Ensuring people grow up or live in safe and effective care with the best outcomes.

  • Taking action to enable people to have the best life chances and opportunities.

Meet our Safeguarding Team

Our dedicated team is here to ensure our commitment to a safe environment is put into practice. They are your first point of contact for any concerns and are trained to listen, provide support, and take appropriate action.

safeguarding LEAD

Tammy Docherty

safeguarding Officers

Sarah McConnell

Dave Hall

Benjamin Clift

Caroline Bambirra

Ross Sutherland

 In some instances, it may not feel appropriate to call the Safeguarding Helpline, for example, if there is an allegation against one of the Safeguarding Officers.  In these situations, you may contact the following:

Safeguarding Co-ordinator:   safeguarding@catalyst.vin  //  01224 646424

Summary of Our Safeguarding Policy

Our comprehensive Safeguarding Policy is the framework for how we ensure everyone's safety. It outlines our clear procedures and standards for creating a safe culture and responding to any concerns. Key principles of our policy include:

  • Accountability: We hold ourselves and all our staff and volunteers accountable for upholding safeguarding standards.

  • Dignity and Respect: We treat all individuals with dignity and respect, valuing their voice and perspective.

  • Confidentiality: All safeguarding concerns are handled with the utmost confidentiality, shared only with those who need to know.

  • Empowerment: We aim to empower individuals by listening to them and taking their concerns seriously.

A copy of our full Safeguarding Policy can be downloaded here: SAFEGUARDING POLICY 2025

How to Report a Concern

We understand that raising a concern can be difficult, but it's crucial. We promise to listen carefully, take you seriously, and handle your concern sensitively and confidentially.

If someone is in immediate danger, please call 999 right away.

Safeguarding Helpline

HELPLINE: 01224 460590

Please call this number if you have any concerns of a safeguarding nature. Always call 999 if there is danger to life.

*please allow a little extra ring time for this number as it transfers to the officer on-call *

The helpline is open between 8am - 10pm daily and is operated by the Safeguarding Officers (below) who will answer your call.  If you are unable to get through directly, please leave a message to say you're phoning with a Safeguarding concern, along with your name and a number to return your call, but please do phone again as soon as possible the next day to ensure contact is made with a Safeguarding Officer.  If you still can't get through please speak to the Safeguarding Co-ordinator.

[Please avoid phoning the Safeguarding Officers direct - even if you know them personally.]