Safeguarding adult board’s service user group urge people to “don’t just talk about, report it”

Members of the West Cheshire Local Safeguarding Adults Board’s (LSAB) service user group have produced a powerful signed song about the importance of reporting suspected abuse.

Cheshire West and Chester LSAB’s service user involvement group (CWSUIG), supported by the charity, Disability Positive, came up with the idea of writing a song to help share important messages around adult safeguarding.

The song demonstrates what safeguarding means to the group. The lyrics were written by the group members and one of the supports for the group created the music on her clarinet, to complement the lyrics.

Disability Positive Chief Executive and Chair of the CWSUIG, Lynne Turnbull then suggested a sign song and a video was produced, featuring some of the group members performing.

The positive message put out through the song includes the powerful lyrics “Our life, in this world has equal value, we have a voice! We will speak up and speak out!”

The video was filmed via Zoom, with members being filmed from their own homes, to keep people safe during the pandemic.

Lynne Turnbull said: “We are extremely proud to share this fantastic song and video. Our biggest remit is around listening to people and making sure that people affected by adult abuse are heard. What the group want to do is to raise awareness of the different types of abuse and so as part of our work plan, we discussed what adult abuse was and how we could stop it happening.

“The lyrics they came up with are amazing. We took the words that everyone came up with to fit them into verses with each one concentrating on a different type of abuse. We wanted a chorus that would be really positive about ‘don’t just talk about it, report it’.”

She added: “My parents’ first language is British Sign Language so it was great to be able to check a few of the signs with my mum. I then taught the signs to everybody in the group. We had a lot of fun putting it together.”

Ian Cardwell, who is Independent Chair of Cheshire West Local Adult Safeguarding Board, said: “I really welcome this incredible sign song. In addition to ensuring that safeguarding practitioners work together effectively, the Cheshire West and Chester LSAB also has a critical role to play in hearing, understanding and representing the experience of members of our community, especially those who find themselves at risk of neglect and abuse.  One way we do this is through our service user sub-group.   

“Led by Lynne Turnbull, members of our service user sub-group have created this sign song to vividly describe the experience and understanding of safeguarding, including the use of British Sign Language. 

“This song is a unique and powerful approach, which sends a strong message to everyone working in a safeguarding environment.”

Cheshire West and Chester’s Cabinet member for adult social care and public health, Cllr Val Armstrong, said: “I would like to commend the group for devising and performing this powerful song, which carries such an important message about adult safeguarding. It’s a message that sadly still needs to be shared.

“I would urge anyone concerned about suspected abuse or neglect of an adult to contact our Community Access Team or Emergency Duty Team.”

To report a safeguarding concern:

• Email: accesswest@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
• Phone: 0300 1237034
• Out of hours phone: 01244 977277 (EDT)
• Alternatively call Cheshire Police: 101 for non-emergencies or 999 in an emergency.
• To watch the CWSUIG’s signed adult safeguarding song, visit:

https://youtu.be/F1iSqq7w-3M.

For more information about the Cheshire West and Chester Local Safeguarding Adults Board, visit:

https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/health-and-social-care/adult-social-care/lsab/local-safeguarding-adults-board.aspx.

The aim of the LSAB is to ensure that effective procedures are in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of adults who are subject to or at risk of abuse or neglect. The board also aims to support adults to achieve the outcomes they want.

The core members are Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Cheshire Police.

Associate members include Disability Positive, Age UK Cheshire, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership, Cheshire Fire and Rescue, National Probation Service Cheshire, the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, North West Ambulance Service, Mid Cheshire Hospital Trust, Healthwatch Cheshire, Public Health, Elected Members, Children’s Social Care, Community Safety Partnership and NHS England. The board has an independent chair, Ian Cardwell.

Disability Positive provide services, opportunities and a voice to people with lived experience of disability and long-term health conditions, and their families.

Disability Positive has services to help people with everyday life, being part of their local community and looking after their own wellbeing. The charity can offer advice, help with practical tasks and advocate for people in lots of different situations. They listen and share people’s experiences to influence positive change in government policy. They know it matters as they have lived experience of disability and long-term conditions too.

Pictured - West Cheshire LSAB service user involvement group signed song screenshot.