Safeguarding and Safety Policy

1. Digital & Privacy Safety

We protect your data so you can focus on connecting. To keep your information secure:

• Location Privacy: We match users based on a general town or district. Never share your specific home address, financial details, or sensitive personal data on public profiles or during initial chats.
• Virtual Meetings: Always use the secure Google Meeting links provided by our platform for virtual practice Coming soon. Do not use unverified external video platforms where your personal contact information (like phone numbers or personal emails) might be exposed.
• Recording Prohibited: To protect the privacy and comfort of all participants, you must not record, screenshot, or stream any video practice sessions without the explicit, written consent of all participants and the platform administrators.

2. In-Person (Local) Meetup Guidelines

Transitioning from online practice to an in-person meetup is a fantastic way to build community, but it must be done with personal safety in mind:

• Public Places Only: Initial face-to-face meetings must always take place in a well-lit, busy, public space (e.g., a local café, library, or community center). Never meet a new practice partner at a private residence or isolated location.
• Tell a Friend: Always let someone else know where you are going, who you are meeting, and what time you expect to return.
• Independent Transport: Arrange your own transport to and from the meetup. Do not accept a ride from a practice partner you are meeting for the first time.
• Right to Leave: If at any point you feel uncomfortable, confused, or unsafe, you have the absolute right to leave immediately. Your safety and well-being always come first.

3. Community Conduct & Mental Wellness

As a platform rooted in mental wellness, we hold our community to high standards of empathy, respect, and accessibility:

• Zero Tolerance for Abuse: We have a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, harassment, discrimination, audism (discrimination against Deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals), racism, sexism, or any form of hate speech.
• Language Respect: BSL Practice Partners is a space for learning and cultural exchange. Be patient, supportive, and respectful of differing fluency levels.
• Crisis Boundaries: While our overarching organization focus is mental wellness, individual practice partnerships are not peer support groups or crisis lines. If a practice partner is experiencing a severe mental health crisis, gently encourage them to utilize professional resources or contact emergency services, and report the situation to our admin team so we can provide appropriate organizational signposting.

4. Age Restrictions & Safeguarding Children

• Adults-Only Platform: Currently, the BSL Practice Partners matching platform is strictly for individuals aged 18 and older.
• Reporting Minor Activity: If you suspect a user is under the age of 18, please report them immediately to our administration team for account review.

5. How to Report a Safety Concern

If someone makes you feel unsafe, behaves inappropriately during a Google Meet, violates these guidelines during an in-person meetup, or displays behavior that concerns you:

1. End the Interaction: Immediately leave the video call or walk away from the physical meetup.
2. Report It: Email our safeguarding team directly at safety@mymentalwellness.uk or use the "Report" function on the platform.
3. Include Details: Provide the user's platform name, the date/time of the incident, and a brief description of what happened.