In this unprecedented situation many people within the community are understandably worried whilst workplaces, schools, social and sporting activities and other venues are closed. Some children and young people may be at particular risk.

In the light of this and of other challenges resulting from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and following the publication of the COVID-19 Emergency Bill 20/03/2020 and the subsequent UK Government response to the coronavirus outbreak the following measures have been agreed with Trustees and put in place.

  1. Immediate closure of our temporary gym facilities. Members will be kept informed of developments via stpaulsboxing.co.uk and when appropriate by email contact.
  2. Suspension of all building and renovation works at St Paul’s gym, North Church Side until the COVID-19 Emergency Bill restrictions were eased and safe working practices were in place. Contractors on site from 05/05/2020.
  3. The Management Committee will review and manage financial outgoings and facilitate cost reductions where possible. With the loss of income from subscriptions and fundraising (eg Boxing Dinner, grant applications) additional funding opportunities will be investigated and pursued where appropriate.
  4. The club will encourage members to stay fit safely at home with a remote training programme of boxing related activities. These weekly sessions will be devised and co-ordinated by the coaching team and posted on St Paul’s website, across social media and on the England Boxing Stay Active during COVID-19 website.
  5. Advice and tips on maintaining mental health and wellbeing will be made available. St Paul’s Head Coach will maintain personal telephone contact with vulnerable or isolated members.

In addition, the Trustees have reviewed St Paul’s safeguarding and child protection procedures taking into account advice from NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) and England Boxing’s Stay Active During Covid-19 campaign.

Undertaking remote training and coaching sessions/on line videos

In consultation with St Paul’s Head Coach and the club’s CWO training coaches have produced a series of on line coaching sessions accessible across social media, namely website, Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp with links to England Boxing Stay Active campaign. The following guidance checklist will ensure the club’s safeguarding policies and procedures are followed and work robustly to protect the welfare of young people.

  • St Paul’s Online and Social Media Safety policy. This new policy has been adopted in order to safeguard members and coaches in their use of social media for club related activities.
  • How to raise concerns – see St Paul’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy sections 3, 4 and 5. In addition see Child Abuse Flowchart.
  • Codes of conduct for coaches (see Appendix 4) and for young people (see Appendix 5)
  • Parental involvement and consent for involvement in the activity.
  • Appropriate privacy and confidentiality settings for each social media platform.

Contacts: COVID-19 Emergency – temporary arrangements

During the ongoing situation with coronavirus (COVID-19), help and advice is available to ensure the safety and well-being of children and families. If there is a concern about COVID-19 or information needed about support available these contacts should be used:

Hull City Council COVID-19 Community Support  01482 300307

Hull Safeguarding Children Partnership

  • Hull Early Help and Safeguarding Hub (Children) 01482 448 879
  • Emergency Duty Team 01482 300 304

Hull Adult Safeguarding 01482 616092

East Riding of Yorkshire Council Community Response Hub 01482 393919

East Riding Safeguarding Children Partnership

  • During office hours: 01482 395500
  • Emergency out of hours: 01482 393393
  • email: FISH@eastriding.gov.uk (FISH = Families Information Service Hub)

East Riding Safeguarding Adults Team 01482 396940

In emergency contact Police 999

Other useful contacts

  • Paul’s Boxing Academy Child Welfare Officer 07769 557690
  • CHILD LINE              childline.org.uk                                 0800 1111
  • NSPCC HELP LINE nspcc.org.uk                                     0808 800 5000