Keeping people safe matters to us.
MentaSpring CIC is committed to promoting the safety, dignity and wellbeing of the people who engage with our programmes, activities and community support.
We recognise that people may come to us during periods of vulnerability, change or uncertainty. We take concerns about abuse, neglect, exploitation or harm seriously.
Our approach is built around listening carefully, maintaining appropriate boundaries and acting responsibly when a safeguarding concern is identified.
What safeguarding means
Safeguarding includes protecting adults and, where relevant, children from:
- Abuse or neglect
- Domestic abuse
- Financial or material exploitation
- Discrimination
- Coercion or control
- Sexual abuse or exploitation
- Physical or psychological harm
- Self-neglect
- Other situations where someone may be at significant risk of harm
We recognise that safeguarding concerns can sometimes be difficult to identify or talk about. People will be treated with dignity and respect when they raise a concern.
Our responsibility
MentaSpring provides community-based support alongside existing health, statutory and voluntary services.
We are not a crisis service, clinical service or replacement for the NHS.
We do not diagnose or provide clinical treatment through our community programmes.
Where a concern falls outside our role or requires specialist intervention, we will signpost or refer to the appropriate service and, where necessary, follow our safeguarding procedures.
If you are concerned about someone's safety
If you are worried that an adult or child may be experiencing abuse, neglect or serious harm, please seek appropriate help.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
For urgent mental health support, call NHS 111 and choose option 2. For urgent medical concerns, call NHS 111 or attend your nearest A&E.
If the situation is not an emergency, you can contact MentaSpring to discuss your concern and we will consider the appropriate next step.
Email: info@mentaspring.org.uk
Confidentiality and information sharing
We respect people's privacy and handle personal information carefully.
However, confidentiality cannot always be absolute where there is a serious safeguarding concern. Information may need to be shared with an appropriate service where this is necessary to protect someone from serious harm or to meet a legal or safeguarding responsibility.
Where possible and appropriate, we will explain what information needs to be shared and why.
Our commitment
MentaSpring is committed to developing safe, respectful and inclusive community spaces.
As our programmes develop, we will continue to strengthen our safeguarding arrangements, policies, training and partnerships with relevant statutory and community organisations.
Everyone has a right to feel safe, heard and treated with dignity.