Walk to Welcome
4. Stay Safe
Because each event is independently organised, it is important that you take time to plan carefully and ensure your activity is safe and appropriate for everyone involved.
Responsibilities
All Walk to Welcome fundraising activities are organised independently by individuals, churches, or community groups. This means that:
Participants are responsible for planning and running their own events.
Welcome Churches cannot accept liability for any accidents, injuries, loss, or damage that may occur during your fundraising activity.
We are not able to provide insurance coverage for individual fundraising events.
We strongly encourage you to take reasonable steps to ensure your event is safe, well-planned, and appropriately supervised. This may include checking venue requirements, ensuring appropriate adult supervision where needed, and following any relevant local health and safety guidance.
If you are hosting a public or larger event, you may need to arrange your own public liability insurance.
If you are unsure, your church leadership, venue provider, or local authority may be able to advise you.
Safeguarding
We want Walk to Welcome events to be safe, welcoming, and inclusive spaces for everyone involved. If your event involves children, young people, or vulnerable adults, please ensure that appropriate safeguarding procedures are in place. This may include:
Ensuring appropriate adult supervision at all times.
Following your church or organisation’s safeguarding policy.
Knowing how to respond if someone shares a concern or discloses something sensitive.
If you are hosting your event through a church or organisation, please follow their established safeguarding procedures. If you are unsure, please contact us before your event takes place.
Privacy and Photography
We love seeing photos and stories from Walk to Welcome events and celebrating what God is doing through them. However, please be mindful of privacy concerns when taking and sharing images or videos.
Some participants may not wish to be photographed or identified. This is especially important when working with or alongside refugees and people seeking asylum, who may have specific privacy or safety considerations. Please also be careful when sharing any photographs or videos of children.
Please:
Always ask permission before taking or sharing photos or videos of individuals.
Respect anyone who does not wish to be included in images.
Avoid sharing identifying details about individuals without consent.
Be especially careful when posting on public social media platforms.
Consider using group shots, event details, or symbolic images instead of identifiable portraits where appropriate.
Where possible, you may wish to clearly indicate at your event that photography is taking place, and provide a simple opt-out option. If you have already taken the photos or films, we can also help you to blur parts of the materials before you share with the public. Please let us know if you need this support.
Risk Assessment
Before your event, we recommend completing a simple risk assessment. This does not need to be complicated, but should help you think through:
The activity you are doing
The location and environment
Weather considerations (for outdoor events)
Alternative arrangements in case of bad weather or extreme heat
Participant abilities and accessibility
First aid provision if needed
Travel and transport arrangements
Any equipment being used
Taking time to plan ahead helps ensure that everyone can participate safely and confidently.