Coaches and volunteers at a Beccles gymnastics club have been given safeguarding training by a team of specialists.

The free session was held for the Beccles Royales Gymnastics Club to ensure the best possible care and support is on offer should members ever need it.

Safeguarding means protecting people’s health, wellbeing and human rights, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect.

The training delivered by East Coast Community Healthcare (ECCH) involved discussion and advice on spotting signs of abuse or neglect, how to question children and parents or carers if concerns arise, and how to refer to children’s social care or the police if a child is suspected of being at risk.

In October of this year, 128 children within the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area covered by ECCH had child protection plans in place while 97 witnessed domestic abuse in which the police were called.

Sharon Inglis, head coach of Beccles Royales, said: “ECCH made the course relevant to our needs which kept the coaches and volunteers focused and engaged on such an important subject for the safety of the children in the club. We wanted to know more about how to handle things if we’re worried about a child, as well as how to make sure the young people at our club feel protected when they are with us and know who to go to for advice and guidance if they have any concerns.

“The session made a real impact on us. We all know these things happen, but it was startling to hear statistics based on local figures and sad to know how much is happening around our local area.”

ECCH’s named nurse for safeguarding children Ali Jennings said: “Safeguarding children is everyone’s responsibility and it’s great that the Beccles Royales are taking it seriously and asking for extra advice and support. Knowing what to do and who to turn to in a potential situation is vital to ensure children and young people get the help they may need as early as possible, before issues escalate and become more damaging.”

ECCH also supported Beccles Royales when they moved premises to their new base at Ellough Industrial Estate last year. The social enterprise provided a van and staff to move the club’s equipment and staff also donated money towards flooring in the new gym.