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About us:
Ukraine Welcome Centre started on 6 March 2022 as a spontaneous volunteer effort to support Ukraine.
It started as a collection centre for food, toiletries, medication, bedding and clothing.
This aid has been sent to Ukraine by International Aid Trust (a charity working in Ukraine for over 30 years.)
The launch of the government’s Homes for Ukraine visa scheme prompted an expansion of services to meet the needs of newly arrived Ukrainian guests.
The Ukraine Welcome Centre quickly became a community centre for Ukrainians with a ‘free shop’, English Lessons, recreation and advice.
The centre also provides support for sponsors and occasional matching of displaced Ukrainians with sponsors in Sefton.
We have had over 100 volunteers to help since we opened on 6 March and countless generous donors have supplied us with aid and money to sustain our work.
Our Mission
To welcome Ukrainian refugees into Sefton and support their community development and integration. We achieve this with:
Practical aid
Advice
Learning opportunities
Community centre activities
Support for sponsors.

9/2/2023 Listen to Merseyside Radio Interview with Oksana and Alan, with Tony Snell. Here: Interview is at 1hr.26min. Well done!!
GDPR: Liverpool Methodist District: Data Privay Notice:
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Safeguarding: 9 Sections
1) If you have concerns about possible abuse:-
2) How to respond to a vulnerable person who shares with you regarding abuse:-
3) Remember good practice:-
4) Contacts:-
5) Action:-
6) Background and Culture:-
7) Safeguarding Contracts:-
8) Disclosure and Barring Service Checks:-
9) Education and Training:-
1) If you have concerns about possible abuse:-
* Consult the person to whom you are responsible, leader of the group or the person in Pastoral Care.
* Decide together whether to seek advice or to make an immediate referral.
* Keep a record of what happened, your concerns and your actions.
* Tell the church Safeguarding Officer and/or Superintendent
* If there is a possibility of a child/children being abused then this must be reported to the police and children’s services immediately, if this is not possible it must be within 24 hours. No consent is needed.
2) How to respond to a vulnerable person who shares with you regarding abuse:-
* Never promise to keep a secret in case the authorities need to know something.
* React calmly: be aware of your non-verbal messages.
* Don’t stop someone who is talking freely about what has happened.
* Don’t ask leading questions.
* Reassure the person they have done the right thing by telling you.
* Avoid making comments or judgements.
* Tell the person what will happen next.
* Record using the person’s own words and noting any important dates and times.
* Report to the person to whom you are responsible and the Church Safeguarding Officer.
* If a child discloses abuse this must be reported to the police and children’s services immediately, if this is not possible it must be within 24 hours. No consent is needed.
* If an adult discloses abuse, the adult disclosing must give consent before a call to the police or adult services can be made, unless there is doubt about their mental capacity. Adult services will always give advice if unsure.
3) Remember good practice:-
* Treat everyone with respect, setting a positive example.
* Respect people’s personal space.
* Ensure your actions cannot be misinterpreted.
* Challenge unacceptable behaviour in a constructive way.
* Do not put yourself or other people in vulnerable situations.
* Do not have inappropriate physical contact with others.
* Always share safeguarding concerns with those in Pastoral Care.
4) Contacts:-
If you consider a child to be in immediate danger then call 999 and report your concerns to the police and to social services.
Child Social Services
0345 140 0845 or 0151 934 3555
Adult Social Services
0345 140 0845
If you have any less urgent concerns about your safety, or about the safety of any vulnerable person in any of our communities contact our:-
Project Safeguarding Officer: Pauline Doherty -0151 920 8294.
Circuit Safeguarding Officer: Barbara Briddock - 0151 476 5902.
Superintendent Minister: Rev Karen Beecham - 0151 7221219.
 
If, however, none of the above are available you can contact:
District Safeguarding Officer: Linda Locke - 07341 773728
safeguarding@liverpoolmethodist.org.uk
 
5) Action
Our Safeguarding process. The Safeguarding team consists of Crosby Superintendent and the Church Safeguarding Officer.This team aim to meet twice a year.
The meeting reports issues, discusses and reviews responses and annually reviews policy effectiveness.
Records are to be kept by the Church Safeguarding Officer.
Reporting. All people entering our building report ALL safeguarding concerns to the church safeguarding Officer, verbally. In writing where appropriate.
Recording. The Church Safeguarding Officer records the concern and allocates a case number.
All records are to be held confidentially, according to Methodist confidentiality policy.
Action Plan. Team discusses, decides and delegates an appropriate action, prioritising safety of the vulnerable person/s in each case.
Follow-up. Each concern is reviewed until completion at every meeting until issue is deemed closed or no further action required by the meeting.
 
6) Background and Culture
Communication. Safeguarding statement and policy is to be prominently displayed on our noticeboards and a paper copy given to all user groups/hirers.
Safeguarding must be a standing agenda item at every Church Council.
This will include communicating updates to legal safeguarding requirements.
Risk Assements. Risk assessments of new and existing activities should be made, in order to identify hazards and take action to minimise risk, including trips by church groups outside the building including travel arrangements.
If specialised activities are to be undertaken, appropriate instructors should be engaged and their credentials confirmed.
Registers. For every children’s activity a register will be kept by the group leader and staff in attendance.
Safer Recruitment. Recruitment for work with vulnerable people will require:-
* Communication with Safeguarding team.
* A signed self-declaration form.
* A DBS application – see below – logged with Safeguarding team.
* Training booked for Creating Safer Space course within 6 months.
Code of Conduct. We will abide by the:-
* Code of Safer Working Practice with Children and Young People.
* Code of Safer Working Practice with Adults.
* Guidance for those who exercise pastoral care.
Contacts. If you consider a child or a vulnerable adult to be in immediate danger then call 999 and report your concerns to the police.

Alternatively call:-

Child Social Services
0345 140 0845 or 0151 9343555 or
Adult Social Services 0345 140 0845

If you have any less urgent concerns about your safety, or about the safety of any vulnerable person contact:

Project Safeguarding Officer: Pauline Doherty – 0151 920 8294,

Circuit Safeguarding Officer – Barbara Briddock -0151 476 5902.

If, however, that person is not appropriate then you can contact any of the following:

Superintendent Minister: Rev Karen Beecham - 0151 7221219,

karen.beecham@methodist.org.uk

District Safeguarding Officer: Linda Locke - 07341 773728.
Ratios For children’s work The Church’s ratios are as follows:-
0 – 2 yrs 1 person for every 3 children 1 : 3
2 – 3 yrs 1 person for every 4 children 1 : 4
3 – 8 yrs 1 person for every 8 children 1 : 8
Over 8 yrs 1 person for the first 8 children then 1 extra person for every extra 12 children
Each group should have at least 2 adults.
 
7) Safeguarding Contracts
Setting-up A member of the Safeguarding team will bring the names, and case notes of everyone considered a risk for the team to decide if the person is a risk, and if a covenant of care is the appropriate response to enable them to worship and be part of the church community in safety.
Communication Each Covenant of Care will be communicated to the District safeguarding officer, as it is set up, and a record kept of the communication.
Review Each one will be reviewed every quarter by the Safeguarding team.
Processes We will abide by all relevant sections of the safeguarding policy.
 
8) Disclosure and Barring Service Checks
Eligibility- Who needs them. The Safeguarding team will discuss and decide whether a role requires a DBS check, in line with Practice Guidance on carrying out Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks as part of Safer Recruitment for England and Wales
DBS checks are valid for 4 years.
Verifiers The Safeguarding team will decide who is an authorised verifier for Moor Lane church and keep appropriate records.
Approved verifiers are Barbara Briddock, Alan Lewis and Karen Beecham.
Application Process All applications are to be made online via the Churches Agency for Safeguarding website.
DDC will send the verifier the results of the outcome of the DBS check.
The verifier will ensure the Team Leader receives a copy of the outcome email.
Transferability A DBS check obtained for another institution can be accepted by the church as long as
1) there are no blemishes
2) it is no more than 2 years old
3) it is for the same ‘workforce’
4) A reference (verbal or written) has been received from the other
institution.
Renewals DBS checks are required to be renewed every 4 years
A renewal will also require a signed renewal self-declaration form.
Record Keeping The Church safeguarding Officer is responsible for keeping local records and for when the DBS checks are due to be re-applied for.
DBS Customer service DBS checks DBS checks are needed for each member of your household aged 16 plus.
The DBS support team can be contacted via customerservices@dbs.gov.uk, by phone on 03000 200 190, and Minicom 03000 200 192.
 
9) Education and Training
Basic Training Everyone with regular contact with vulnerable people within our church must attend the following training:-
Creating Safer Space Foundation Module - within 6 months of appointment
Creating Safer Space Foundation Module Refresher Edition after a maximum of 4 years & every 4 years after.
Leadership The church safeguarding Officer and any leader of a church group must attend Creating Safer Space – Advanced module and an update every 5 years.
Records Records of attendees of each of these courses will be kept at Circuit level. Attendance records must be kept by the training provider and submitted to The Church Safeguarding Officer.
 
Extra Links for Reference
PDF Document Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Guidance for the Methodist Church in Britain.
  Code of Safer Working Practice with Children and Young People
Social Media Guidance: Download here.
Domestic Abuse Guide: Download here.
Photography/video Consent form: Download here.
  (Safeguarding Policies, Procedures and Guidance for the Methodist Church in Britain – July 2020)
PDF Document
Code of Safer Working Practice with Adults – page 98-101
COOKIE POLICY: As per Liverpool Methodist cookie policy.
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We use cookies and other technologies to ensure that everyone who uses the Ukraine Welcome centre website has the best possible experience. By continuing to visit or use our services, you are agreeing to the use of cookies and similar technologies for the purposes we describe in this policy. You can find more information about cookies at: www.cookiesandyou.com.
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PICTURE GALLERY:
Areas in use at this time:
A safe place for our Ukranian guests and their sponsors
Community room & kitchen: meet friends, cook, eat together, relax, help each other. English conversation and learning. We want it to be your place - your ‘village hall’.
Internet with free Wi-Fi: keep in touch or work and learn online
Advice: Organisations and charities that may help you
Information: local services, schools, doctors, transport
The Shop: With the "ARCH"(A seasonal feature)
Children’s Room: activities, toys, social games and play
Games Room: chess, table tennis, pool, badminton, volleyball, video games
Out and about: Outdoor trips, travel and activities, beach, parks, gardening & games
Places to Visit and pictures of local areas of interest.
Back to contents
Local areas: All the above are local places to visit, by the underground tube or just a short walk.
A very local and beautiful place nearby, is Rimrose Valley. Visit their website here.
Ukraine Welcome Centre - South Sefton is a connected charity of Liverpool Methodist District, (Registered Charity No. 1134011)
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