As we move towards the end of the season, I wanted to share that I will be stepping down from my role as Safeguarding and Welfare Lead at the upcoming AGM.

It has been a privilege to hold this role over the past three years. During that time, we have strengthened how the club supports its members, including clearer safeguarding and reporting processes, safer recruitment practices, the development of our welfare champions network, and more open conversations around culture, wellbeing, and inclusion.

I am particularly proud that there are now stronger routes for members to raise concerns and feel heard, and that safeguarding and welfare are increasingly part of how we think about our club as a whole.

Looking ahead, this creates an opportunity to build on that work in a more sustainable and shared way. Rather than one role holding everything, the intention is to develop a small Safeguarding and Welfare Team, with a clearer spread of responsibilities across:

• Welfare Officer – focused on culture, inclusion, diversity, and member welfare, and supporting the welfare champions network (will sit on committee and is open to all full-paying and social members)
• Safeguarding Lead – overseeing safeguarding concerns and incident management (requires some safeguarding experience, open to all, excluding otherwise occupied committee roles)
• Administrative Coordinator – supporting safer recruitment and training administration (open to all, including non-playing members or parents)

If you would like to be more involved in your club and are passionate about contributing to how it continues to develop, I would really encourage you to consider getting involved in one of these roles or as part of the wider welfare champions network.

I’m very happy to speak with anyone informally about what these roles involve, so please feel free to get in touch with me directly if you’d like to find out more or have any questions.

All enquires for the roles or expressions of interest should be sent to: Rachel Batten (bhhc.welfarelead@gmail.com) or the club secretary (bhhc.clubsecretary@gmail.com). I will remain in post until the AGM to support a smooth transition.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this work over the past three years - it has made a real difference.

I look forward to seeing the club continue to grow, modernise, and remain a place that is safe, inclusive, and enjoyable for all.

Rachel Batten
Safeguarding and Welfare Lead