Safeguarding is something every organisation is responsible for. When we work together across sports settings in Greater Manchester, we create a more connected approach and safer experiences for everyone involved.

Safe sport does not happen in isolation. It grows through relationships, shared understanding and a willingness to take collective responsibility. When organisations connect, share practice and learn from one another, safeguarding becomes stronger and more consistent across the system.

How good networks make sport safer

Policies and procedures are important, but they are only part of the picture. Safeguarding depends just as much on how people communicate, how confident they feel raising concerns, and how well organisations work together day to day.

Across Greater Manchester, many leisure operators and National Governing Bodies (NGBs) have been doing valuable safeguarding work for years. But this has often happened in isolation. That can mean uncertainty about who to contact, differences in approach, and missed chances to learn from each other.

By changing how we collaborate and connect, we can change how effective safeguarding is.

The Leisure Operators and NGB Safeguarding Forum

We have seen that change begin to take shape through the Leisure Operators and NGB Safeguarding Forum. Convened by GM Moving, this network brings together leisure operators and National Governing Bodies to build stronger connections across the sector.

So far, three meetings have taken place, with 16 different partners involved. These sessions have created space to share practice, discuss challenges and strengthen working relationships. Conversations have covered topics such as inclusion, communication, and how safeguarding links to wider equality work.

The feedback has been clear about the value of creating this space:

“Building a community of like-minded professionals and having open discussions about how we can safeguard those in our wider communities is so valuable.”

“The Leisure Operators and NGB Safeguarding Meeting is fundamental to ensuring our members are safer when visiting facilities. The meeting gives us as NGBs a greater understanding of the challenges faced by a leisure provider.”

“I found the meeting very helpful. It was good to connect with other NGBs and leisure operators to talk about shared issues, and to feel the energy in the room.”

These connections are already making a difference. People are beginning to know each other, understand different roles, and feel more confident picking up the phone or starting a conversation when it matters.

How the Forum started

The idea for the network started from a conversation with Rob Bishop at British Cycling. There was a shared recognition that leisure operators and National Governing Bodies often use the same spaces, but don’t always have structured ways to come together around safeguarding.

That conversation led to the creation of the forum in September 2025. It now meets quarterly and continues to grow as more organisations see the benefit of a more joined-up approach.

The future of safeguarding in Greater Manchester

There is a real opportunity to build on this momentum.

We can create a safeguarding system across Greater Manchester that feels connected and consistent. A system where organisations know who to contact, feel confident sharing concerns, and work together to respond in the best way possible.

Together, by continuing to strengthen relationships, sharing learning and listening to different perspectives, we can build a network that supports everyone involved in sport.

This means safer experiences not just for participants, but for volunteers, coaches, staff, committee members and families. It means creating environments where people feel supported, respected and able to thrive.

Safe sport does not happen in isolation. It grows through relationships, shared understanding and a willingness to take collective responsibility. When our partners and organisations connect, share practice and learn from one another, safeguarding becomes stronger and more consistent across the system.