Sign the pledge and help protect Newcastle residents

Partner agencies across Newcastle are calling on everyone to do their bit to keep the vulnerable people in their community safe, reaching out to family and understanding the impact of lockdown on mental health.

Safeguarding Week 2020

As part of Safeguarding Adults Week 2020 Newcastle Safeguarding Adults Board is supporting residents to understand their role in safeguarding vulnerable residents in their community during the pandemic.

Safeguarding is everyone’s business and agencies across Newcastle have prioritised protective work throughout the pandemic, keeping adults safe from abuse and neglect and providing education to partner agencies who are supporting individuals.

Since the initial lockdown, referrals to Newcastle City Council have increased spikes in reports related to self-neglect, mental health and domestic violence. Many of these increasing risk factors and mental health pressures are a result of the negative impact of lockdown measures, social-isolation and pressures on families and communities.

Councillor Karen Kilgour, Cabinet member for Health and Social Care said,

“Lockdown restrictions are essential to protect everyone in our city, however we know they can have a negative impact on people’s mental health, put them under pressure and sadly, sometimes at risk from abuse and neglect.

“Our Safeguarding Adults Board and partner agencies have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to support any individuals or families at risk. They have responded to every safeguarding alert they have received and continue to work closely with victims of abuse and neglect.

“We all have a role to play in protecting vulnerable people in our communities. Online safeguarding training is available through the Newcastle Safeguarding Adults Board however, a simple phone call to a neighbour to check in on them or a video chat with a friend could make a huge difference to an individual’s wellbeing. Every connection counts and helps us to make Newcastle an increasingly safe and respectful city.

“Throughout this pandemic everyone in our city has shown incredible spirit, compassion and generosity and we must continue to look after each other, to talk about our worries and raise issues with agencies when we have concerns.”