Several recognisable buildings in Cumbria are going green for the majority of the week 18 – 22nd November to mark National Safeguarding Adults Week, an initiative coordinated by the Ann Craft Trust charity.
Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board have organised the lighting of buildings to raise awareness, with the green colour signifying giving people the ‘green light’ to talk about safeguarding. ‘Safeguarding’ is the term given to measures and actions that are taken to protect specific groups of people, such as children, young people, and adults with care and support needs, who may be at risk from harm, abuse and neglect.
Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board work with several organisations in Cumbria to ensure appropriate and timely safeguarding measures are in place, including councils, health organisations, emergency services, probation and prison services, charities, and more. They also ensure these organisations work collaboratively to provide safeguarding services, with the core theme of this year’s National Safeguarding Adults Week being ‘working in partnership.’
The Board are hosting webinars and lunch and learn sessions for colleagues as part of the week, as well as a conference for professionals in Cumbria, covering several topics concerned with safeguarding. Several organisations in Cumbria will also take part in social media campaigns to raise awareness about the week, and how people can report safeguarding concerns.
If you are concerned about an adult with care and support needs who is, or may be at risk of, suffering abuse and neglect, you can call the council Adult Social Care teams:
Cumberland area: 0300 373 3732
Westmorland and Furness area: 0300 373 3301
In an emergency, you should always call 999.
For information and resources related to Adult Safeguarding, including types of abuse and neglect and the signs to look out for, visit Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board’s website.
Robert McCulloch-Graham, the Independent Chair of Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board, said:
“Safeguarding Adults Week is a vital initiative to ensure we are raising awareness of how to protect those at risk in our communities in Cumbria.
“It is the responsibility of everyone to safeguard; it is hoped that by opening the discussion around safeguarding, we can encourage people to report any concerns they may have about adults experiencing - or at risk of - abuse and neglect.”