Councillors Louis Martin and Al Al-Maghrabi, deliver powerful keynote speech at first safeguarding training in Winners Chapel International Bristol

Afrikindness successfully delivered its first-ever safeguarding training session in Bristol, empowering community leaders, parents, and faith-based organizations with essential knowledge on child protection.

The session, held at Winners Chapel International, Bristol, saw the active participation of over 50 adults and 26 children, reinforcing the collective commitment to safeguarding within African and faith communities.

The training commenced with a warm welcome address from Associate Pastor and Oversight Teens Ministry Lead, Pastor Abayomi Omotayo, who emphasized the importance of safeguarding in faith-based spaces and the need for continuous education on child protection.

The session was led by Afrikindness Safeguarding trainer, Lola Olaniyi-Alabi and CEO, Bunmi Owolabi, both of whom provided invaluable insights and expert guidance throughout the training.

Key highlights of the session included:

• Understanding Safeguarding and Child Protection – Participants were equipped with fundamental safeguarding principles, including how to recognize and respond to signs of abuse and neglect.
• Safeguarding Risks – The training emphasized identifying risks within different settings, particularly faith-based environments, and developing proactive measures to mitigate them.
• Interactive Group Discussions – Attendees engaged in practical case study discussions, allowing them to share experiences, challenges, and best practices in implementing safeguarding measures within their communities.

The training attracted leaders from various faith-based organizations, including representatives from The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), and other churches across Bristol, Plymouth, and beyond. Their active engagement and enthusiasm underscored the significance of this initiative in fostering safer communities for children.

Afrikindness was honoured to welcome two esteemed keynote speakers, Councillor Louis Martin and Councillor Al Al-Maghrabi, who commended the initiative and underscored the importance of safeguarding education.

Keynote speakers Councillor Louis Martin and Councillor Al Al-Maghrabi emphasized the shared responsibility of safeguarding children and commended Afrikindness for equipping faith leaders and parents with essential knowledge.

Councillor Martin highlighted the importance of child safety, while Councillor Al Al-Maghrabi praised the commitment of participants in fostering safer communities.

The impact of the session was evident in the overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees. Parents and leaders expressed gratitude for the training, with many stating that they now feel more equipped to identify risks and implement safeguarding measures within their respective roles.

One parent shared: “This training was incredibly enlightening. I now understand my responsibilities when it comes to safeguarding and how to create a safer environment for children.”

Afrikindness extends its heartfelt appreciation to all participants, keynote speakers, and faith-based leaders who contributed to the success of this training.

This event marks a significant milestone in our mission to foster safer environments for children within African and faith-based communities. We look forward to expanding our safeguarding initiatives across more regions and continuing to build safer, more informed communities.

For more information about Afrikindness and future training opportunities, please contact: [email protected]