Message from Marie O’Donnelly – Diocesan Safeguarding Co-ordinator

Good morning Parish Safeguarding Reps,

Message from Marie O’Donnelly – Diocesan Safeguarding Co-ordinator

Following the devastating death of Harvey Willgoose, at All Saints Catholic High School earlier this month,  our thoughts, prayers and condolences are very much with Harvey’s family, friends and all within the All Saints Community.  The devastation and impact this has caused is simply immeasurable and as Catholics, we need to respond with compassion and care and support for those affected.

The Diocesan Safeguarding Department has recognised a need in the wider Catholic Community, for support materials and resources for our young people, parents/carers and our Parish volunteers and wider parishioner groups in having been affected by this awful tragedy.

In Harvey’s memory, I am working with Safer Families to provide a training workshop for our clergy, volunteers and parishioners, on the Child Safeguarding topic of Risks Outside the Home.  Please look out for further information on this when I am in a position to share the details of this training opportunity.

I also attach some posters that I would be grateful if you could put onto your noticeboards, mention in Parish newsletters and perhaps announce after mass, of the availability and location of this signposting.

The Support at a Difficult Time Poster, mirrors information shared by the school with parents so that we can support the school in wider sharing of this information.

The Sheffield Resources for Young People document lists support organisations in Sheffield that are available to support young people.  This is Sheffield based due to the highest need being in the Sheffield Area, where Harvey lived and went to school.

You may wish to look at similar organisations local to your deanery to create a poster like this.

There are also 2 posters from the initiative Knives Take Lives, a South Yorkshire based campaign to educate young people on the consequences of carrying a knife. This campaign is delivered by South Yorkshire Police. The posters contain QR codes that will take you to the campaign website where there are further resources.

As always, if you have any concerns, please do contact the Safeguarding Office, contact details are available on the Support For Young People poster, where you will also find the contact details for the Dicoesan Counselling Service for those who feel that counselling may be helpful for them and/or their child.

I would also like to acknowledge the hard work of the Diocesan Counselling Team, who have been working tirelessly in All Saints School, alongside other agencies, to support both staff and children since Harvey’s life was tragically taken by knife crime.  The support in place is invaluable to the children and staff who are benefiting from your service and thanks are given on their behalf.

In sadness and with best wishes

Marie O’Donnelly

Safeguarding Coordinator

Diocese of Hallam

 

PRINT READY have the conversation today PRINT READY knives take lives poster Sheffield Reousrces for Young People Support at a difficult time poster