Community Storywork© Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and Children Policy

At Community Storywork©, I am unwaveringly committed to fostering a secure and respectful environment while collaborating with organisations that engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including vulnerable adults and children. Our safeguarding policy is a testament to my dedication to prioritising the well-being and protection of all participants involved in our community storytelling projects.

Principles:

Inclusivity and Diversity: I deeply respect and celebrate the diversity of individuals in our community storytelling projects, acknowledging that each person has a unique story to share.
Empowerment: I empower individuals, including vulnerable adults and children, to share their stories in a safe and supportive environment, ensuring their voices are heard.
Informed Consent: I ensure that informed consent is obtained from all participants, clearly communicating the project's purpose, how their stories will be used, and any potential implications.
Confidentiality: I handle all personal stories with the utmost confidentiality, ensuring that sensitive information is protected from unauthorised access or disclosure.
Risk Assessment: I conduct thorough risk assessments for each project, identifying potential risks and implementing measures to mitigate them, especially when working with vulnerable adults and children.
Training and Awareness: I ensure our team receives regular training on safeguarding principles, and remaining vigilant about recognising signs of vulnerability or potential harm.
Reporting Mechanism: We all share the responsibility to report safeguarding concerns, irrespective of a person's status, profession, or authority. Any concerns about the conduct or behaviour of a practitioner/person in a position of trust will be reported to social services or the police. This obligation extends to concerns arising in private life, including the behaviour of friends, family members, or neighbours who are also practitioners/persons in positions of trust.
DBS Check Certification: I am committed to maintaining an up-to-date Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check certificate for myself, and I insist that individuals I might collaborate with do the same. This ensures that all individuals engaging in our projects have undergone the necessary background checks, promoting a safe and secure environment.
Collaboration with Partner Organisations: I collaborate closely with partner organisations, sharing our safeguarding policy and ensuring alignment with their policies to create a unified approach to safeguarding.

By upholding these principles, Community Storywork© actively contributes to a protective and inclusive environment, ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable adults and children participating in our community storytelling projects.

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Community Storywork - Equalities Policy

At Community Storywork, we are dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment for all individuals and communities we engage with. Our commitment to the principles of equality, diversity, and fairness is fundamental to our operations. As a sole trader serving communities in South Wales (UK), we recognise the importance of embracing diversity and upholding the rights of every individual.

1. Equality in Storytelling:

We acknowledge the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives within the communities we serve.
Our storytelling approach is unbiased and respectful, ensuring fair representation and inclusion of all voices.

2. Non-Discrimination:

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Our commitment extends to all aspects of our operations, from story selection to presentation.

3. Inclusivity in Portfolio Presentation:

Due to the sensitive nature of our media work involving personal stories, not all content is showcased on our website.
In-person meetings are encouraged to present a more comprehensive array of examples from our portfolio, promoting inclusivity and providing a platform for diverse narratives.

4. Accessibility:

We strive to make our services accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to facilitate engagement and participation.

5. Confidentiality and Privacy:

We prioritise the privacy and confidentiality of personal stories shared with us.
All data gathered will be handled with the utmost sensitivity and in compliance with data protection regulations.

6. Sole Trader Commitment:

As a sole trader with no staff, I am personally committed to upholding these principles in every aspect of my work.
I take responsibility for ensuring that our services reflect the values of equality and inclusion.

At Community Storywork, we believe that the strength of our storytelling lies in its ability to amplify the diverse voices within our communities. We are dedicated to promoting equality and ensuring that our work contributes positively to the richness of the narratives we share.

This policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure its ongoing relevance and effectiveness.

Kind Regards,

Andre van Wyk
Community Storywork

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Community Storywork GDPR Policy

I, at Community Storywork©, recognise the critical importance of data protection and privacy in our storytelling activities. My commitment to GDPR compliance ensures that when handling personal data:

Data Handling:

Lawful and Transparent Processing: I process personal data lawfully, transparently, and for specified explicit purposes, ensuring individuals are informed about how their data will be used.
Data Minimisation: I only collect and process data necessary for community storytelling projects, minimising the data to what is relevant and adequate.
Accuracy and Updates: I strive to maintain accurate and up-to-date data, providing individuals the right to access and correct their personal information.
Storage Limitation: Personal data is retained for no longer than necessary, with procedures in place for secure and timely data disposal.
Security Measures: I implement appropriate security measures to protect against unlawful or unauthorised processing, access, loss, destruction, or damage of personal data.
Sensitive Information: I recognise and provide stronger legal protection for sensitive information, including that of vulnerable adults and children, adhering to separate safeguards for data relating to criminal convictions and offences.
Data Subject Rights: I respect individuals' rights under the Data Protection Act 2018, including the right to be informed, access personal data, update incorrect information, have data erased, restrict processing, and exercise data portability.
Training and Compliance: I ensure our team is trained on GDPR compliance, maintaining a thorough understanding of data protection principles. Regular reviews and updates of policies are conducted to remain compliant with evolving regulations.

By personally implementing these policies, I, at Community Storywork©, aim to uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and data protection, fostering a secure and inclusive environment for our community storytelling projects.
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Community Storywork© Intellectual Property Awareness and Commitment

At Community Storywork©, I recognise the paramount importance of intellectual property rights and am deeply committed to upholding ethical standards in all our storytelling endeavours. This commitment stems from a profound understanding that intellectual property, encompassing designs, brand names, inventions, and creative works, holds intrinsic value and deserves unwavering respect.

My Pledge:

Respecting Copyright: I pledge to honour the copyrights of original works, understanding that unauthorized copying, distribution, performance, or display is strictly prohibited. This commitment applies to literary, artistic, and musical works, recordings, broadcasts, and various other creative expressions.
Responsible Patents Usage: In our pursuit of innovative storytelling, I commit to respecting patents and ensuring that our projects do not infringe upon inventions protected by intellectual property laws. I value the contributions of inventors and adhere to patent regulations.
Preserving Design Rights: Acknowledging the uniqueness and creativity embedded in product designs, I commit to respecting both registered and unregistered design rights. Our projects will not intentionally replicate or infringe upon the distinctive features of protected designs.
Trade Mark Integrity: I understand the importance of recognizable symbols and branding. Consequently, I pledge not to use any trademarks in a manner that may lead to confusion or infringe upon the rights of the trademark owners.
Adhering to Database Right Principles: My commitment extends to respecting the systematic arrangement of information within databases. I will not extract or reuse substantial parts of databases without proper authorization.

International Integrity:

I am fully aware of the international dimensions of intellectual property protection. While copyright protection automatically extends to certain international conventions, I pledge to adhere to the necessary processes to secure rights when operating in various countries or regions.

Educating and Cultivating Ethical Practices:

Community Storywork© is committed to fostering a culture of awareness and respect for intellectual property rights.

In summary, my commitment to intellectual property rights is a fundamental aspect of our ethical framework. I pledge to create impactful stories while respecting the legal and creative rights of individuals and organizations. By upholding these principles, I contribute to the ethical and responsible use of intellectual property in the realm of community storytelling.

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Welsh Language Policy - Community Storywork

At Community Storywork, we recognise and embrace the importance of the Welsh language in reflecting the rich cultural diversity of our communities. We align with the Welsh Language Commissioner's commitment to promoting and facilitating the use of Welsh in all aspects of public life.

Our dedication to crafting compelling storytelling extends to embracing the Welsh language as an integral part of our narrative methodology. We acknowledge that the Welsh language holds a unique and valued place in our community's stories. As part of our commitment to inclusivity, our team members are encouraged to engage with and support the Welsh language.

In accordance with the Welsh Language Commissioner's guidelines, Community Storywork is committed to providing bilingual communication and services wherever possible. This commitment includes creating bilingual content for our website, promotional materials, and any public-facing communications.

Furthermore, we recognise the importance of promoting Welsh language use within the digital realm. Our unique selling proposition lies in our ability to digitally capture firsthand stories, and we extend this capability to include the Welsh language. Our digital platforms and artistic representations will strive to be inclusive and reflective of the linguistic diversity within the communities we serve.

Community Storywork is dedicated to fostering a language-friendly environment, ensuring that our storytelling initiatives resonate with the linguistic richness of Wales. We will regularly review and update our Welsh language policy to align with best practices and evolving linguistic needs within our community. Through these efforts, we aim to contribute positively to the preservation and promotion of the Welsh language.

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Climate Pledge - Community Storywork

As I venture into self-employment under the banner of Community Storywork, I am committed to weaving not only impactful narratives but also a sustainable and eco-conscious approach into the fabric of my business. Here's how I will integrate environmentally friendly practices into Community Storywork:

Reduce Driving:

I pledge to minimize my carbon footprint by opting for walking or riding a bike whenever feasible, reducing the need for unnecessary driving.

Support Local Businesses:

I will actively engage in shopping locally to bolster small businesses and contribute to the community's economic vitality.

Cut Back on Flying:

In an effort to reduce carbon emissions, I commit to cutting back on unnecessary flights and exploring alternative travel options.

Energy Conservation:

I will take deliberate steps to reduce energy consumption, not only to lower bills but also to contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.

Renewable Energy Transition:

Community Storywork will transition to a 100% renewable energy supplier, supporting clean energy sources and reducing reliance on non-renewable alternatives.

Reuse and Repair:

Embracing a culture of sustainability, I will prioritise the reuse and repair of items, promoting longevity and minimising unnecessary waste.

Waste Reduction and Recycling:

Actively working towards reducing waste and improving recycling practices within my business operations.

Nature-Friendly Garden:

I will create a space for nature in my personal and professional surroundings, incorporating native plants and providing habitats for wildlife.

Tree Planting in Partnership:

In collaboration with Between The Trees and the Centre For Systemic Studies, I will contribute to reforestation efforts by planting and nurturing trees.

Homegrown Produce:

Incorporating sustainability into my lifestyle, I will get my own chickens promoting a local and eco-friendly food source (eggs).

Advocacy within Personal Network:

I will extend this pledge beyond myself and encourage my friends and family to join me in adopting sustainable practices.