Frome Town Council's Communities team have organised two low-cost sessions this winter, to help community groups, charities and voluntary organisations in Frome equip staff and volunteers with safeguarding skills.

Run by local expert Bob Ashford, the sessions cost £5 per person and run at the town hall on Wednesday 27 November from 7pm to 9pm and on Tuesday 3 December from 1pm to 3pm.

Booking is essential as places are limited.

Cllr Philip Campagna said: "Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, and FTC are pleased to help our vital voluntary groups access this important training. If your role involves contact with the public, such as events or workshops, you could come into contact with a vulnerable person who needs your help.

"Bob's session will equip you with skills and knowledge to help you act appropriately if it happens."

The two-hour workshop covers:

• Making sure you're doing what is needed to keep the people you work with, for, and alongside, safe.
• Feeling confident that you've got the right things in place and that you'd know what to do in different situations.
• Developing funding bids and grant applications with strong safeguarding criteria in place.

Bob Ashford has been a social worker, social work manager, youth offending team leader and latterly a senior civil servant and Director of Strategy at the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales.

Throughout his career, safeguarding children and vulnerable adults has been at the core of his work. He is now an independent consultant working with charities and public bodies across the UK. 

Bob said: "Safeguarding is at the heart of my work. Awareness of the issues involved and how to keep clients and ourselves safe from harm is vital for anyone working in the public and charitable sectors.

"The training I provide is inclusive, informative and gives participants the confidence to learn in a supportive environment."

To book places for the safeguarding training, and find out about other support for community groups and voluntary organisations, click here.