The Sport Welfare Officer Network (SWON) has been created to support National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and their local clubs to promote good practice and safer sport for all. The network is funded by Sport England through National Lottery funding.

Our Sport Welfare Officer is Yvette Hockley, who is part of the new national network of sport welfare officers.
Yvette works with partners to develop a local approach to assisting and supporting club welfare officers, to create safer club environments and improved experiences for children, young people and adults. She has been working to recruit, train and support volunteers in the community and voluntary sector for the past 20 years. Yvette is an experienced trainer and has delivered safeguarding and support to hundreds of volunteers.

Sport Welfare Officers help create safer sport for all by:

  • Providing additional, local support for club welfare officers
  • Signposting clubs to the right advice and guidance
  • Working with club welfare officers to create a safer culture within their organisation
  • Facilitating local training opportunities and events
  • Creating networks so that volunteers and staff feel better connected and informed
  • Recognising, sharing and developing best practice
  • Helping to raise awareness of safeguarding and welfare for young people and adults at local events

To get in touch with Yvette, email yvette.hockley@leapwithus.org.uk

To report a safeguarding concern about a child, young person or adult in Buckinghamshire or Milton Keynes, please see our safeguarding page

Yvette Hockley and Heidi Yates standing in front of Safeguarding Officer and Badminton England banners, smiling at the camera