YSF Safeguarding and Welfare News – December 2025

Welcome to our last newsletter of 2025, we’ve had a really busy year and have enjoyed meeting many of you. If you’ve chatted to us at meetings or events, been on our training and workshops, or invited us to visit your club – thank you! If you haven’t, then please get in touch in 2026 – we’d love to hear from you.

Just to remind you, we offer free support to help you improve your safeguarding practice and welfare culture. We also like hearing about all the good things that are already happening at your club or organisation.

You can find out lots more about us on our Sport Welfare webpage.

Santa’s Little Helpers!

We’d like to introduce two members of the wider team here at Yorkshire Sport Foundation. Chris Ng and Daniel Neath are the two Communities Officers for South Yorkshire. Over the past few weeks, they have been doing a great job supporting Nicola with club engagement. Chris is working hard to pull together a list of all our South Yorkshire clubs and may be in touch with you to offer our free support. Of course, you don’t need to wait to hear from us – you can contact us at any time if there’s anything we can help you with.

Looking after yourself at Christmas Time

The festive period can be a difficult time for some people. Please look after yourself! There are lots of people to reach out to, should you want some support:

· Mind’s support line has information on treatments and where to get help. Their website lists the different opening times over the Christmas period.

· Samaritans are available to talk 24/7 about whatever is on your mind. Call 116 123.

· Shout is a text helpline service for anyone feeling worried, anxious or in need. Text SHOUT to 85258.

· There are local services depending on which district you live in. You can use 111 and choose the mental health option to access these.

You can also direct children and young people to Kooth.com who have lots of resources on their website. And Papyrus, whose Hopeline is open 24/7 – 0800 068 4141.

Safeguarding Support

 Whilst schools are closed over the Christmas period and their usual sources of support are unavailable, it may be that children and young people reach out to other trusted adults for help. Should you encounter any safeguarding concerns you can find useful contact numbers on this page.

Nicola Holmes - Senior Sport Welfare Officer South Yorkshire and Leeds
07714 733650 nicola.holmes@yorkshiresport.org

Measha Harris - Sport Welfare Officer - West Yorkshire excluding Leeds
07714 733636  measha.harris@yorkshiresport.org