Hunderton Community Gardens Association

19/03/2026

As you can see from this evening's posts, we have been reviewing our policies and procedures, and have now published revised Safeguarding policies, Complaints procedure and a Code of Conduct.

19/03/2026

Hunderton Community Gardens Association
Process for reporting and addressing concerns or allegations of abuse or harassment – Complaints Policy

We will not tolerate any abusive or offensive behaviour or harassment. We will ensure that suspicions or allegations can be made in good faith without fear of reprisal.

No individual committee member or volunteer should take it upon themselves to investigate and resolve a suspected or alleged case of abuse. It is, however, your responsibility to keep accurate records of your observations and of anything said to you in connection with the suspected abuse and report as soon as possible to the Chair, Maggie Setterfield.

Allegations
• Record the facts as you know them and give them to the Chair.
• If the person against whom an allegation has been made is a member of the committee, a volunteer or partner organisation, the Chair, in consultation with the Committee, will make take reasonable steps to ensure that this person is not to come into contact with the alleged victim until the matter is resolved.
• Ensure that you never place yourself in a position that could cause any doubts of your actions (see the code of practice for volunteers).
Whistle Blowing
Each individual has a responsibility for raising concerns about unacceptable practice or behaviour, even if this means reporting a colleague. You should voice your concerns, suspicions or uneasiness as soon as you feel you can. The earlier the concern is expressed the easier and sooner it is possible for action to be taken.

Children and Vulnerable Adults
Refer to the Safeguarding Policy for more details on how to spot possible abuse and the steps to be taken when this is suspected

Investigation
The Chair, supported by the Committee, will launch an impartial and confidential investigation into any accusations or suspicions of abuse or harassment. They will strive to provide timely updates to all concerned.

19/03/2026

Hunderton Community Gardens Association
Safeguarding Children, Young People, and Vulnerable Adults (“Safeguarding”) Policy 2026

SECTION 1
Policy Statement
Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and protect them from harm. Everyone has a duty to safeguard children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

This policy promotes good practice in safeguarding for those using Hunderton Community Gardens.

Definitions
Children and Young People: Anyone under the age of 18 years
Vulnerable Adult: Anyone over 18 who is:
• Unable to care for themselves
• Unable to protect themselves from significant harm or exploitation
• May be in need of community care services

To whom this policy applies
This policy applies to anyone working for or on behalf of Hunderton Community Gardens Association whether in a voluntary or commissioned capacity, for example, if contracted to do a piece of work.
If they are working with children, young people or vulnerable adults then they need to:
• Have public liability insurance.
• Have a suitable safeguarding policy and/or agree to work to Hunderton Community Gardens Association policy and relevant statutory and non statutory best practice.
• Ensure leaders have valid enhanced DBS checks as appropriate, have first aid kit and how to summon help from the Emergency Services.
• Conduct risk assessments for individual activities.
SECTION 2
Promoting a safe environment
In order to promote a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults, Hunderton Community Gardens Association will
• Provide safe facilities and carry out regular safety assessments.
• Ensure that volunteers in the Garden are aware of the safeguarding expectations.
• Ensure that volunteers who have regular unsupervised contact with children, young people, or vulnerable adults during the course of their duties undergoappropriateDisclosureandBarringService(“DBS”) checks BEFORE commencement of such duties.
• Display on the HCGA Facebook the relevant safeguarding contacts

Expectations of behaviour
All vusers of the Garden should:
• Ensure that communication, behaviour, and interaction is appropriate and professional.
• Treat each other with respect and show consideration for other groups using the Garden.
• Refrain from any behaviour that involves racism, sexism, homophobia, and bullying, and in addition, report any instances of such behaviour to the Chair of Hunderton Community Gardens Association.

SECTION 3
Safe working practice
All users of the Garden must follow the policy and procedures at all times. For example they should:
• Never leave children, young people or vulnerable adults unattended with adults that have not been subjected to a DBS check
• Plan activities to involve more than one person being present or at least in sight or hearing of others
• Ensure that photos or videos of individuals are not taken without written permission from their parents/carers
• Ensure they have access to a first aid kit and telephone
• Ensure activities, breaks and clothing are suitable for the weather conditions and that shelter is available where possible

Whistleblowing
All volunteers should be aware of their duty to raise concerns about the attitude or actions of colleagues and should seek advice from the Chair, Maggie Setterfield; M: 07792 308250; E: [email protected]
What should be a cause for concern?
Volunteers should be concerned by any action or inaction, which significantly harms the physical and/or emotional development of a child. Abuse falls into 5 main categories and can include child sexual exploitation and female ge***al mutilation, referred to as FGM. The categories are as follows:
1. Physical Abuse
2. Emotional Abuse
3. Sexual Abuse
4. Neglect
5. Financial Abuse/Manipulation

Updates
Hunderton Community Gardens Association confirm this safeguarding policy will be updated as and when such legislative/best practice changes take place.
This policy is available in Polish.

Reporting Concerns to Herefordshire Council
To report a concern about an adult please call:
• 01432 260101 (weekdays 9am to 5pm)
If we call you back, it will appear as this number: 01432 598560. If you ever have concerns about a call, you can hang up and call our general council number: 01432 260000.
If you think that a child has been harmed or is being neglected, contact the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on:
• 01432 260800 - available 8.45am to 5.15pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.45 to 4.45pm Fridays. If we call you back, it will appear as this number: 01432 598571. If you ever have concerns about a call, you can hang up and call our general council number: 01432 260000
• Out of these hours 01905 768020 0330 123 9309 (after 6pm, weekends and public holidays)

19/03/2026

Hunderton Community Gardens Association
Code of Conduct for Committee Members and Volunteers

It is essential that committee members and volunteers never behave in ways that could cause distress of any kind to garden users. They must be aware of what constitutes acceptable and unacceptable standards of behaviour as laid out in this Code of Conduct

We should always set good example as we are likely to be seen as role models and should adopt the following approach that encourages mutual respect:

• Always respect an individual’s right to privacy and personal space
• Be alert to inappropriate or potentially harmful behaviours (physical or emotional)
• Encourage a culture of openness, where anyone experiencing upset feels able to voice it.
• Give enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism.
• Ensure all methods of communication takes place within clear boundaries, is transparent and open to scrutiny. This includes text messaging, e-mails, digital cameras and social media
• Question any adult who is unknown who attempts to engage with children or vulnerable adults
• Ensure all adults (including parents) recognise the need for appropriate behaviour around children and vulnerable adults (and step in when necessary).
• Immediately report any concerns you have about the welfare or safety of any person or of inappropriate behaviour of other adults following the procedure set out in our Complaints Policy

You should not:
• Rely on your good name to protect you from allegations
• Allow or engage in suggestive remarks, innuendo, gestures or touching which could be misunderstood or misconstrued
• Take photographs without consent from both individuals and a responsible adult or carer responsible for them.
• Be under the influence of alcohol or drugs in the Garden
• Swear or use explicit language
• Use physical force unless it constitutes reasonable restraint to protect another person, from self-harming or to protect property. If it is necessary to restrain a participant, then the minimum amount of force should be used for the shortest amount of time possible.

04/03/2026

It's a glorious morning and we will be finishing off the weaving between 11 and 12. Come and join in....coffee available!

20/02/2026

Join us this Monday (23rd) at 5pm in the lounge bar of the Vaga Tav, Vaga St HR2 7AT for our AGM. Come along and find out what's been going on and plans for this year. All welcome.

09/02/2026

02/02/2026

Hunderton Community Gardens Association
invites you to our friendly & informal
Annual General Meeting
in the Lounge bar of Vaga Tavern

Monday 23rd Feb ’26 at 5pm
Come with your questions and suggestions!
All welcome – free tea and cakes, bar open
Maggie 01432 357085

27/01/2026

11/01/2026

Gidderskins Morris team in action yesterday.
Wassail!!

11/01/2026

Arrival of the Wassail parade towards the garden, via Cagebrook Avenue, yesterday