RYA expands and strengthens safeguarding team
by Rachel Jones 30 May 2019 08:21 BST
Mandy Viggers © RYA
The RYA Board has welcomed Mandy Viggers to the new role of non-executive Independent Chair of its Safeguarding Steering Group following an open recruitment process.
Mandy's role will be to guide the work of the steering group in developing RYA policy and guidance for clubs and training centres, to monitor the implementation of the policy on behalf of the Board, to provide independent, professional advice and support to the RYA Safeguarding Manager and staff, and to champion the safeguarding of young people and adults at risk at all levels within the RYA.
She brings a wealth of practical and strategic experience to the post, having originally trained as a nurse, midwife and health visitor and later served for nearly 20 years as Designated Senior Nurse for authority-wide NHS healthcare organisations. Her work included chairing a range of committees and boards, including those reviewing serious cases.
Mandy also has a good understanding of the context in which the RYA operates, having spent many holidays crewing yachts with her husband both around the UK coast and abroad, and is looking forward to exploring the waterways at a more sedate pace on their recently-acquired narrowboat.
Having recently attended her first Board meeting, Mandy said: "I am very much looking forward to this new challenge and hope I can contribute my previous experience to supporting and developing the good work the RYA is already doing to promote a culture where everyone can enjoy sailing and boating in a safe and supportive environment."
The RYA has also appointed Andrea Gates as Safeguarding Officer to support its Safeguarding Manager, Jackie Reid, and to enable a more proactive service to the Association's many affiliated clubs and training centres and their welfare officers.
For more information and guidance see rya.org.uk/go/safeguarding