Call for ambassadors to keep vulnerable adults safe

Bury Council is recruiting community members who can help to raise awareness of adult abuse and help to tackle it.

The Ambassadors Against Abuse initiative waslaunched at Bury Town Hall by Bury Adult Safeguarding Board along with the new Adult Safeguarding Customer/Patient Charter.

The launch was attended by community members, voluntary and private organisations, health and social care providers – anyone and everyone who has an interest in safeguarding vulnerable adults.

Councillor Andrea Simpson, Bury Council’s spokesperson for community health and protection, said: “The need to raise the profile of adult safeguarding in Bury has been recognised for some time. In particular there is a need to raise awareness with those who are not social care professionals, such as adults at risk themselves and their family and friends, neighbours and the wider community.

“Our aim is to recruit a group of volunteers who will proactively promote awareness of adult abuse within Bury and who will actively participate in identifying and preventing adult abuse.

“The role of an ambassador is to increase the knowledge around adult abuse and how to report it within their organisation or community. Volunteers will be trained, act as a point of contact within the community for people who need advice, and work with the council’s Safeguarding Strategic Team to support and promote adult safeguarding events and initiatives.”

For more details, contact the Adult Safeguarding Team on 0161 253 5644.

ENDS

Press release issued: 23 December 2014.

Picture: Launching the Ambassadors project are (from left) Pat Jones-Greenhalgh, executive director for communities and wellbeing; Councillor Andrea Simpson, council spokesperson for community health and protection; and David Hanley, independent chair of Bury Adult Strategic Safeguarding Board.