The Active Partnerships Network has today launched a National Campaign to highlight the vital role played by their Sport Welfare Officers (SWO) to ensure that every sports club in England has greater access to free, expert welfare and safeguarding support.

The Sport Welfare in Action; together for safer sport campaign recognises the important role volunteers, staff, National Governing Bodies (NGBs), and local partners play in creating positive club cultures, and reinforces the support available to them through the Sport Welfare Officer (SWO) Network.

The SWO Network was launched in 2023 to strengthen safeguarding and welfare for children, young people, and adults taking part in sport in England. Officers work locally with NGBs, and can provide clubs with free guidance, training and support on creating a safer, more inclusive culture.

Since October 2024, the network has delivered focused support to more than 5,000 sports clubs across England but the Sport Welfare in Action campaign aims to further increase awareness of the work of its officers and the free advice and support on offer to clubs.

It’s hoped that this will ensure even more clubs can benefit, helping to create positive, welcoming environments and experiences and keeping more people involved in sport and physical activity.

The network, funded by Sport England through the National Lottery, and supported by the Ann Craft Trust and the NSPCC, has more than 60 Sport Welfare Officers embedded across 42 Active Partnerships all working with National Governing Bodies (NGBs) to provide local, day-to-day support for clubs across a range of safeguarding and welfare issues.

This support includes signposting clubs to the right advice and guidance, delivering local training and events, and helping club welfare officers create a safer culture within their clubs.

With welfare and safeguarding often the responsibility of volunteers at clubs, the support from SWOs has been welcomed across the sports system.

The Sport Welfare in Action campaign will see the Sport Welfare Officer Network and the role of Sport Welfare Officers explained and brought to life through a range of sharable digital and social media content and resources. Active Partnerships, clubs and NGBs are being encouraged to share this content across the week to increase awareness and understanding of the network, with the ultimate aim of getting more clubs to access and benefit from the support available.

Andy Taylor, Chief Executive of the Active Partnerships National Organisation, said:

"The Sport Welfare Officer network is already achieving hugely positive outcomes with more than 5,000 sports clubs and thousands more participants benefiting from tailored support. This shows that the network is already helping to strengthen the support available to clubs, by working collaboratively with volunteers, National Governing Bodies and local partners helping create safer, more welcoming environments and experiences for everyone involvedin sport and physical activity." The Sport Welfare in Action campaign is about recognising the important work already happening across the sector and ensuring every club in England knows where they can access this vital free support, advice and guidance through their local Sport Welfare Officer.”

Phil Smith, Sport England’s Executive Director for the Sporting System, said:

"Sport England's investment in the Sport Welfare Officer Network reflects our belief that safeguarding and welfare are not optional extras - they are fundamental to safe, positive and enjoyable environments and experiences for everyone, and, as a result, help create a more active nation. This week’s campaign is vital in recognising the incredible work of Sport Welfare Officers, while also ensuring clubs are aware of the free and valuable support that’s on offer.”

Andrea Owen, Club Welfare Officer, Diss Otters Swimming Club in Norfolk, said:

"Before we connected with Anita Stewart, our Sport Welfare Officer from Active Norfolk, I was doing my best, but being a volunteer and overseeing something as important as club welfare can be daunting, especially at a junior club like ours. Anita has always been there to support and help us. There is a completely different culture here as a result and that translates into everyone at the club, from our young swimmers and parents to our coaches feeling safe, welcome and understood.On a personal level, I’ve gained so much more confidence and knowledge from working with Anita. I'd encourage any club and welfare officer to make contact with their local Sport Welfare Officer today.

To access campaign resources, or learn more about the Sport Welfare in Action campaign, visit activepartnerships.org.

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