If you have information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in immediate danger, or requires immediate medical attention call the emergency services on 999. Do not delay.

Safeguarding Statement  

The Armed Forces' Christian Union (AFCU) is committed to safeguarding as an integral part of its life and ministry. Safeguarding is the action the AFCU takes to promote a safe culture. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Our Commitments:

Promoting a safer environment and culture.

Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children and vulnerable adults.

Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.

Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse or other affected persons.

Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns/allegations of abuse and other affected persons.

Responding to those that may pose a present risk.

Safeguarding Policy and Good Practice Guidelines

Links to the Safeguarding Policy and Good Practice Guidelines are here:

 Safeguarding Policy 2024-2025.pdf

 Safeguarding- Good Practice Guidelines.pdf

Raising a Concern

IF YOU ARE CONCERNED about the welfare of a child, young person or vulnerable adult, do not hesitate to contact the AFCU’s Safeguarding Lead, Liesel Parkinson.

Liesel Parkinson

You can contact her by calling the AFCU office 01793 783123

LieselParkinson@afcu.org.uk

safeguarding@afcu.org.uk 

Alternatively, you may use this online form to report a safeguarding concern.

We understand that you may feel nervous, anxious or unsure about reporting abuse or raising a safeguarding concern.

Please be assured that we will treat any disclosures sensitively and appropriately.

Safeguarding Threshold Matrix

If you are not sure whether or not this is a safeguarding issue you can use the Safeguarding Threshold Matrix

We understand that you may feel nervous, anxious or unsure about reporting abuse or raising a safeguarding concern. Please be assured that we will treat any disclosures sensitively and appropriately.

Remember: IF THERE IS IMMEDIATE RISK of danger, or someone needs urgent medical attention, please contact the emergency services on 999.

Finding Support

We understand reporting abuse may be very difficult and distressing to you and it may add to your hurt by our not being able to immediately assist you. Therefore, here are the contact details of other agencies that are available to assist either on a 24-hour basis or through specialist helplines and services:

Need to call out of hours? Please call Thirtyone:eight on 0303 003 11 11 who provide our out of hours support.

For more general support:

  1. Safe Spaces: is an independent service supporting survivors of church-related abuse. The Safe Spaces initiative is funded by the Church of England together with the Catholic Church in England and Wales and the Church in Wales. It is free to access via telephone - 0300 303 1056 (answerphone available outside of opening times) or visit: www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk
  2. NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.
  3. Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.
  4. National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.
  5. Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
  6. Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm)
  7. Download a full list of support organisations and services