Cumbria’s Safeguarding Adults Board is raising awareness of safeguarding next week as part of National Safeguarding Adults Week 2025, a campaign coordinated by the Ann Craft Trust.
Running from 17 to 21 November, the week focuses on this year’s theme; Prevention - Act Before Abuse, which aims to shift attention from reacting to incidents of harm, to taking proactive steps that prevent abuse and neglect from happening in the first place.
Safeguarding means protecting people's health, wellbeing and human rights, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect, including self-neglect. The campaign provides a reminder that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, whether working in health, social care, education, sport, or the wider community.
Throughout the week, Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board will continue to work collaboratively with several organisations, including councils, health organisations, charities, community groups and more, to promote the importance of safeguarding. Planned activities include daily briefings and learning opportunities, open to a range of professionals and social media campaigns to raise awareness of prevention and how people can report safeguarding concerns.
Several council buildings across Cumbria will also be lit up green, symbolising the ‘green light’ to talk about safeguarding and the importance of protecting adults at risk.
Independent Chair of the Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board, Robert McCulloch-Graham, said: “Safeguarding Adults Week is a vital opportunity to raise awareness of how we can all play a role in preventing abuse and neglect before it happens.
“With individuals and organisations working together here in Cumbria, we hope to further build upon the cultures of safety, inclusion and respect.
“We want to encourage people to report any concerns they may have about a vulnerable adult, share advice on how to identify abuse, why safeguarding is important and encourage people to look out for each other.”
More information about what safeguarding adults means can be found on the Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board website, including what to do if you’re concerned about an adult’s wellbeing or safety.