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WaldenJNR

Safeguarding & Welfare

At Walden Junior Triathlon Club, the safety, wellbeing and enjoyment of every child and young person is our priority.

We want every junior athlete to feel safe, supported, included and listened to, whether they are training, competing or taking part in club activities. We follow the safeguarding policies, procedures and good practice guidance of British Triathlon and Triathlon England.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility

Everyone involved in our club has a part to play in creating a positive and safe environment — coaches, volunteers, parents, carers and young athletes themselves.

Safeguarding covers more than serious concerns about abuse. It also means being alert to bullying, inappropriate behaviour, poor practice, discrimination, online behaviour and anything else that may affect a young person’s safety or wellbeing.

Children and young people should feel able to speak up if something doesn’t feel right, and parents and carers should feel confident raising any concern they may have.

If you have a concern

You do not need to decide whether something constitutes abuse before raising a concern. If something has worried you, please tell someone.

Our Club Welfare Officers are here to listen, offer advice and make sure concerns are handled appropriately and confidentially. Young athletes, parents, carers, coaches and volunteers can contact them at:

childwelfare@waldenjnr.co.uk

You can also report a concern directly to the British Triathlon safeguarding team at:

concern@britishtriathlon.org

If you believe a child or young person is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services on 999.

Concerns will be treated seriously and sensitively. Information will only be shared with those who need it in order to safeguard the child or young person.

Our Welfare Officers

Our Welfare Officers are independent points of contact within the club for children, parents, carers, coaches and volunteers. They help us maintain good safeguarding practice, support anyone who wishes to raise a concern and liaise with British Triathlon or other appropriate organisations when required.

Name
Role
Welfare Officer
Welfare Officer

Steven Bishop

Hi, I’m Steven, one of the Welfare Officers at WaldenJNR Triathlon Club, working with Abby from the start of the 2026-27 season to look after our young athletes.

As Philippa’s dad in Group C, I’m as much a club parent as a welfare officer and committee member. I’m a regular at training sessions at Carver Barracks and Lord Butler swimming pool. I enjoy cycling, though I’m the first to admit our young athletes have the edge on me in swimming and running!

Professionally, I’m a doctor and Chief Medical Officer at Qureight, and my healthcare background has honed my eye for safety and detail. I bring this same focus to my welfare role, ensuring our coaches are DBS checked, first aid provisions are maintained, and our young athletes have everything they need to thrive. So if you see me at training, please come and say hello – I’m always happy to chat!

Abby Brockwell

Hi, I’m Abby, one of the Welfare Officers at WaldenJNR Triathlon Club, working alongside Steven to help look after the wellbeing of our young athletes. I’m Edie’s mum in Group C, and we’ve been part of the WaldenJNR family for several years, since Edie first joined in Group S.

Triathlon and endurance sport are a big part of my life. I’ve raced every triathlon distance from Sprint through to Long Distance, and I’m also an avid open water swimmer. My adventures have included English Channel and Round Jersey relays, alongside various other marathon swims and challenges.

I’m particularly passionate about keeping girls engaged in sport through their tweens and teenage years, and making sure all our young athletes feel supported, included and able to enjoy their sport as they grow.

Most Saturday mornings you’ll find me getting my steps in around Carver while training is underway, so if you see me, please come and say hello. Whether you’re a young athlete or a parent or carer, I’m always happy to have a chat.

Parents & carers

Parents and carers are an important part of safeguarding at Walden Junior. We encourage you to take an active interest in your child’s experience at the club, help us promote positive behaviour and fair play, and talk to your child about anything that may be worrying them.

If you notice a change in behaviour, have concerns about something you have seen or heard, or simply aren’t sure whether something is appropriate, please speak to our Welfare Officers. It is always better to ask.

Helping everyone take part — our bursary

 We want financial circumstances to be as little of a barrier as possible to children and young people enjoying triathlon.

Walden Junior has a bursary to help families where the cost of participating may otherwise be difficult. Enquiries and applications are handled discreetly by our Child Welfare Team.

Details can be found here.

Or to find out more or have a confidential conversation about the support available, email childwelfare@waldenjnr.co.uk.

Further safeguarding information

British Triathlon provides further information and guidance for children and young people, parents and carers, coaches and club volunteers: https://www.britishtriathlon.org/safeguarding