Community guidelines & safeguarding
Safe, honest, kind
The Becoming Garden works because it is safe. These guidelines apply to every teenager, parent, leader and volunteer, in person and online.
How we treat each other
· No perfect people allowed. Come as you are.
· Listen to understand, not to perform.
· Questions are welcome. Mockery is not.
· Honour differences in story, personality and pace.
· What is shared in the circle stays in the circle, except where safety requires otherwise (see safeguarding).
Parents & guardians
· We grow alongside family, not around it. A parent or guardian is part of every registration.
· Parents may always ask what we cover and how we run sessions.
· Programme updates go to parents as well as teens.
Safeguarding
· Every session is led or supervised by vetted, trusted adults.
· Clear boundaries: no private one-to-one contact between adults and teens outside agreed channels.
· Heavy topics (for example Week 9) include professional input.
· If anything makes you uncomfortable, say something. Concerns are heard, taken seriously and acted on promptly.
When you need help
· Tell Opeyemi or any trusted adult leader, or
· Message the admin on WhatsApp, or
· Involve your parent or guardian.
You will never be in trouble for asking for help.
This is a living document. It is reviewed regularly and updated as the community grows. Registration includes agreeing to these guidelines.