Our Policies – Great Lever Connected

CONSTITUTION
SAFEGUARDING POLICY
CODE OF CONDUCT
HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
CONSTITUTION

Constitution

Name:

The Group shall be known as Great Lever Connected, thereafter known as in this document as GLC, the association or the group.

Boundary:

The area covered by the Association is the borough of Bolton.

The activities of the association will benefit the surrounding areas and the community.

Aims & Objectives:

Powers:

The aims of GLC are: –

3.1. To create opportunities for individuals to develop and share skills to widen community involvement through volunteering at Slaterfield Community Center, Eco Haven Allotment, and surrounding areas.

3.2. To deliver a range of bespoke activities from our centres and surrounding areas to meet the diverse needs of the community.

3.3. To create a sustainable network to contribute to a cohesive resilient community.

To achieve these aims the GLC shall have powers to:

4.1. Obtain, collect, and receive money and funds by way of contributions, donations, affiliation fees, subscriptions, legacies, grants, and any other lawful method.

4.2. Become members of or accept membership from any organisation having aims and objectives similar to those of the Association.

4.3. Give administrative and financial help to other local groups having similar objectives.

4.4. Employ consultants to carry out special projects or activities within the area of benefit.4.5. Purchase, lease, exchange, hire or otherwise lawfully acquire such property or other rights and privileges as may be necessary for the promotion of its objectives.

4.5. To ensure that all members are consulted regularly and that all residents eligible for membership are encouraged to join in.

Membership:

5.1. Full membership is open to ALL persons aged 16 years or over, living within the geographical boundary and who accept all the aims / objectives of the Association. To act as an officer of the group, members must be 18.

5.2. Visiting membership will open to ALL persons aged 16 years or over, living, working, or volunteering within the geographical boundary and who accept all the aims / objectives of the Association.

5.3. All members can request a copy of the constitution.

5.4. Elected Members of the Local Authority can be a member of the Association if they live within the boundary but cannot act as officers of the committee. Councillors and candidates standing for local election cannot become GLC members during this time.

Equal Opportunities:

The GLC works to the benefit of everyone regardless of age, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy, disability, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

and equal opportunities will be given to all.

6.1. The GLC will always implement and demonstrate this policy.

6.2. The group will work according to an agreed code of conduct.

6.3. It shall be a condition of membership that members always conduct themselves in a reasonable manner at meetings or in premises used by the GLC.

Great Lever Connected

7.1. The GLC must have a minimum of 6 active members and will work as a collective to reach all decisions in its pursuit of furthering the aims and objectives of the group.

7.2. The GLC Committee, elected at the Annual General Meeting will conduct the business of the Association. The GLC Committee shall consist of not more than 13 members, and will include at least 3 officers, a Chair, Treasurer, Vice Chair (optional), Secretary, and other members.

7.3. The Members and officers of the Committee will be elected at the Annual General Meeting and will normally hold office until the next AGM, where a new committee will be elected. Members of the outgoing Committee may stand for re-election if they wish.

7.4. Elections should be Chaired by someone who is not a GLC member.

7.5. The Committee may, in between AGMs, temporarily fill any vacancy arising among the Committee from members of the Association.

7.6. The duty of the Committee shall be to carry out the general policy of the association as decided at General Meetings, and to administer, manage and control the affairs and property of the association, in accordance with its aims and objectives.

7.7. The Chair will conduct the meetings of the Association. If the Chair is absent the Vice Chair or another member deemed appropriate by members present may take the chair for the purpose of training etc.

7.8. The Treasurer shall open and or maintain a bank account in the name of the Association. The Treasurer and at least one other nominated GLC member must sign all cheques.

7.9. The Treasurer shall keep a proper account of income and expenditure, and report on them as required by the Committee or General Meeting. The accounts will be given over, at least once every year, to be scrutinised by a competent person not affiliated in any way to any member of GLC. The validated accounts will be presented annually at the AGM.

7.10. In potential conflicts of interest or a tied vote the overall decision would be at the Chair’s discretion after consulting with members.

7.11. The Secretary is responsible for convening all meetings and giving relevant notice to members. The minimum notice required is 7 days prior to the meeting. The Secretary shall ensure that a proper record is kept of all meetings in the form of minutes; and provide copies as required by the GLC or general meeting.

7.12. Any full member of the GLC, can be delegated to represent the group and in consultation with any other body shall act on the instructions of the association and shall report back to the following committee meeting or general meeting, whichever is sooner.

7.13. All members of the GLC have a duty to further the aims of the Association, including the promotion of equal opportunities and to take positive action towards the elimination of discrimination in all forms.

7.14. Any GLC member who fails to act in accordance with the constitution, or whose conduct is deemed likely to bring the GLC into disrepute, will be subject to disciplinary proceedings in line with GLC Code of Conduct.

Great Lever Connected Committee Meetings

8.1. The GLC Committee shall meet as often as necessary and no less than 10 times in a year.

8.2. The Secretary shall give each committee member at least 7 days’ notice of the meetings.

Quorum:

9.1. The quorum for GLC Committee meetings shall be 1 officer of the committee and any 3 other committee members. For a General Meeting it shall be 6 members.

Special General Meeting

10.1. The GLC Committee or a minimum of 6 members may call a special general meeting by putting a written request to the Secretary to discuss matters of concern. The Secretary of the association should call the meeting. All members must be given not less than 14 days’ notice of the meeting. This notice must be delivered to each person and/or displayed in a prominent public place accessible to all.

Annual General Meeting

11.1. The GLC shall call an Annual General Meeting (AGM) each year.

11.2. Only members of the Association will be allowed to vote at the meeting.

11.3. All members must be given not less than 21 days’ notice of the meeting. This notice can either be delivered to each person and / or displayed in a prominent public place accessible to all.

11.4. The notice shall declare the date, time and place of the meeting and state that only members will be allowed to vote.

Alterations

To The Constitution:

12.1. The Constitution can only be altered at Special General Meetings. Any proposal to alter the constitution shall be submitted to the Secretary not less than 14 days before the meeting at which it is to be discussed.

12.2. Notice of this proposed alteration shall be either delivered to each person and/or displayed in a prominent public place accessible to all, not less than 7 days before the meeting. This notice should include the wording of the proposed alteration and the details of the meeting.

12.3. Any decision to alter the constitution shall require the approval of two-thirds of those members present and voting. The minimum number shall be 6 members.

Dissolution

Of The Association:

13.1. If the association is unable to continue due to lack of support or any other reason, or if the committee no longer exists, any 4 members of the association that agree, can decide that Great Lever Connected be dissolved.

13.2. They must give 14 days’ notice to all those eligible for membership of a Special General Meeting at which the matter shall be discussed.

13.3. For the sole purpose of this meeting, a minimum of 4 members should attend the meeting and the Association may be dissolved by a two-third majority of those present.

13.4. It is strictly forbidden that any assets or property, directly or indirectly, be distributed among members. The assets remaining after the payment of debts and liabilities shall be donated to community groups with similar aims and objectives for use exclusively for charitable purposes.

This committee below was elected on 17^th February 2025. At a properly convened AGM.

By signing the constitution Document, I agree to abide by the constitution above:

Signed By Print Name and Address.

Shaun Matthews (Chair)

Mustafa Acar (Secretary)

Albert Tetley (Vice-Chair)

Ann Griffiths

Fatih Tombul

Margaret Platt

Nabil Koko

SAFEGUARDING POLICY

Great Lever Connected

Great Lever Connected is a community-driven organisation aimed at fostering connections and creating opportunities within the Great Lever area. We focus on enhancing social cohesion, supporting local development, and providing resources or programs to empower residents. We work to address local needs, celebrate cultural diversity, and encourage active participation from the community.

Introduction

We acknowledge that children, young people and adults at risk can be the victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and neglect. We accept the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant of Human Rights, which states that everyone is entitled to “all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status”.

We recognise that all adults working or volunteering in our space, who come into contact with children, young people and adults at risk in their work, have a duty of care to safeguard and promote their welfare and therefore need to be competent, confident and safe to do so.

Policy and practice guidelines

We will ensure that all staff and volunteers working with children, young people or adults at risk, are carefully selected including appropriate DBS checks, have appropriate references and understand and accept their responsibility for the safety of children, young people and adults at risk in their care.
Where team members do not have direct contact with children, young people or adults at risk, we understand that we are not eligible to request a criminal records check. Should our work require the participation of children, young people, or adult at risk, it would always be in the company of a responsible adult known to the child, young person or adult at risk.
We will raise the awareness of safeguarding issues amongst our staff and volunteers through the provision of training and regular updates to risk assessments.
We will respond swiftly and appropriately to all suspicions or allegations of abuse, and to ensure confidential information is restricted to the appropriate external agencies.
We will ensure that the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk is of paramount importance, regardless of age, gender, ability or race, when planning, organising and delivering activities.

We will effectively manage the risks associated with activities and events involving children, young people and vulnerable adults by completing a risk assessment process to identify risks and means of reducing or eliminating these.
We will implement the required actions identified by the risk assessment process and review the effectiveness of these on a regular basis.
We will require new employees and individuals involved in working with children, young people and adults at risk to familiarise themselves with the content of this policy.

Responsibilities

The Management undertakes to:

endorse and follow all national and local safeguarding legislation and procedures, in addition to the international conventions outlined above.
support the Safeguarding Manager in their work and in any action they may need to take in order to protect children, young people and adults at risk with care and support needs.
consider safeguarding in all appointments of staff and volunteers.
ensure all staff and volunteers are aware of their roles and responsibilities under this safeguarding policy as a part of their induction.

The Safeguarding Manager undertakes to:

ensure that staff and volunteers are able to discuss safeguarding, child protection and abuse issues confidentially and receive guidance and support on action if situations arise.
ensure the Safeguarding policy is fully implemented and that procedures to support the policy are set up as outlined, complied with and communicated.
ensure that safeguarding issues are dealt with appropriately and referrals are made to the relevant external agencies.
ensure staff and volunteers undertake appropriate and required safeguarding training as relevant to their role.
ensure that safeguarding implications are reviewed as part of a risk assessment process and that all risks are mitigated.

Staff and volunteers undertake to:

Adhere to all the requirements of this safeguarding policy.

Adoption of the policy

This policy was agreed by the leadership on 17/02/2025 and will be reviewed annually prior to the Annual General Meeting.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Great Lever Connected

1. Purpose of this code of conduct

· To contribute towards a constructive and pleasant atmosphere in which to volunteer.

· To ensure all volunteers know what behaviour they have the right to expect from other volunteers.

· To ensure that all volunteers know what behaviour is expected of them whilst volunteering with Great Lever Connected (GLC).

2. Respect for Others

All volunteers will: –

· Treat others fairly and equally

· Not discriminate unlawfully against any person

· Allow others to express themselves and understand that all views are important even if they are not the same as their
own, as long as no offence is caused even if unintentionally.

· Speak to the volunteer co-ordinator in the first instance if they have any issues with the work or other volunteers.

3. Equal Opportunities

A volunteer must: –

· Understand, respect and work always without prejudice to age, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy,
disability, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

· Understand all forms of discrimination, including bullying and harassment are unacceptable and contravene the GLC Equality Policy

· Perform his or her duties with integrity, impartiality, objectivity, and a positive attitude.

Volunteers should: –

· Work together and help each other wherever possible.

· Be on time and prepared for meetings and sessions.

· Switch off mobiles or if necessary, put on silent when attending meetings or sessions.

· Adhere to Great Lever Connected Confidentiality Policy

· Present a positive image of Great Lever Connected at all times including on social media.

If a volunteer including a committee member does not adhere to Great Lever Connected Code of Conduct this could
result in: –

· An informal chat

· A letter

· Being asked to withdraw from the project.

A Volunteer can challenge any of the above decisions in line with Great Lever Connected Grievance Procedure.

If a volunteer signs this Code of Conduct, they can expect to: –

· Be praised where and when it is due.

· Be treated fairly and with respect by all others.

· Be listened to and have their views considered when performing tasks.

· Work in a positive and friendly environment

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

Great Lever Connected

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

General statement of policy

Great Lever Connected (GLC) is working towards a comprehensive Health and Safety Policy and follows the Health and Safety at Work Act for guidance. This lays down certain duties on all volunteers.

All volunteers have a duty to take care of their own safety and that of other volunteers and visitors and to co-operate with the committee and its officers to enable it to carry out its responsibilities.

Volunteers have a duty to:

· work safely, efficiently and without endangering the health and safety of themselves, their colleagues or any other person who has a right of access to the premises at any time,

· adhere to safety procedures laid down by the landlord (Be One Homes(BOH)) and GLC from time to time, and conform to all instructions given by those with a responsibility for health and safety,

· record all accidents, near miss occurrences and hazardous situations and report to the next staff meeting, any instances that may be subject to RIDDOR must be reported to the HSO or a committee member as soon as practicable,

· follow the Health and Safety at Work Act for guidance, specifically Section 8 of the Act, which states that “no person shall intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare in pursuance of any of the relevant statutory provisions”.

1. Organisation and responsibilities

1.1 Committee

Overall and final health and safety responsibility within the organisation lies with the Committee. The Committee shall appoint one person, as Health and Safety Officer (HSO), who will take the responsibility for drawing to the attention of the Committee and volunteers any health and safety matters that need to be discussed and/or acted upon.

The current nominated HSO is Shaun Matthews (Chair).

1.2 Delegated responsibilities

The HSO shall be given delegated responsibility for

ensuring that the Health and Safety policy is carried out within the organisation.

They will be given delegated responsibility for:

· carrying out regular safety inspections in the spaces utilised by GLC,

· investigating and reporting accidents,

· making staff and office volunteers aware of the specific fire escapes and fire extinguishers within the building,

· ensuring staff and volunteers are given a copy of this Policy and understand its contents; ensuring that staff and volunteers are made familiar with the alarm systems within the building and action to be taken in the event of a fire,

· drawing to the attention of the Committee and volunteers any new legislation on health and safety relevant to the work of GLC,

· drawing to the Committee’s attention any matters with which s/he is unable to deal.

1.3 ALL Office Volunteers

All office volunteers have a responsibility to:

· read and fully understand the GLC statement and the procedures to be carried out in the event of an emergency. If there is any doubt about the meaning, staff must seek clarification from the HSO,

· co-operate with BOH the Committee, other GLC volunteers and other centre users as appropriate, to achieve a healthy and safe workplace and to take reasonable care of themselves and others,

· report to GLC within 24 hours any accident occurring:

– on the premises

– off the premises whilst acting on behalf of GLC

bring to the notice of GLC any potentially dangerous circumstances that the volunteer is unable to put right.

1.4 Review

The HSO in conjunction with the Committee, will keep this Policy under constant review to reflect any changes in legislation. The Policy will be fully reviewed every 3 years and will be subject to approval by the Committee.

2. General arrangements

2.1 Accidents, near-miss occurrences, and hazardous situations.

All incidents, no matter how small, must be recorded and reported to Be One Homes as soon as possible after the incident, it is equally important to report near misses and potential hazards to enable preventative action to be taken.

It is the responsibility of the HSO to ensure that any necessary follow up action is taken to reduce the risk of the accident or near accident reoccurring.

The HSO is responsible for reporting incidents which come within the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), to the Health and Safety Executive. RIDDOR covers the following incidents:

(a) fatal accidents

(b) major injury accidents/conditions

(d) accidents causing more than 7 days incapacity for work

(e) certain work-related diseases.

A First Aid kit (managed by BOH) is available in the kitchen, and a second kit (provided by GLC) is available in the computer suite.

2.2 General fire safety

The HSO undertakes a Fire Risk Assessment for the building. BOH require all groups to have a trained Fire Warden on duty during their sessions. Occasionally free Fire Warden training will be provided on behalf of BOH

All staff must also read and understand the Fire Procedure. A fire notice is in each room.

3. Personal safety

3.1 Staff or volunteers who are working on their own should not allow access to casual visitors who have no appointment.

3.2 All windows and entry doors will be lockable.

3.4 Staff should inform the Data Manager who they wish to be contacted in the event of an emergency giving contact details. Recorded in personnel file.

3.5 Staff should never put themselves at risk on account of GLC or personal property.

3.6 All incidents of aggression or violence and any threat to personal safety should be reported to the Chair or Committee member and reported to Bolton at Home.

3.7 Staff should be vigilant with regards to terrorist incident warnings – e.g. unattended bags.

4. Stress management

4.1 Stress is a serious issue: people can suffer severe medical problems, which can result in under-performance, and cause major disruptions to the organisation.

Volunteers should become aware of the causes of stress and ensure that they do not work in a way which could cause them to suffer an increase in stress, nor cause an increase in stress on others.

If a volunteer is suffering from stress, they can discuss this with a committee officer at the first opportunity. Where practicable and reasonable, GLC will seek to help the volunteer.

GLC will do all it can to eradicate problems relating to stress.

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