Help us keep vulnerable adults safe in Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire Council is asking everyone in the county to do their bit to look out for vulnerable adults and is raising awareness of what to do if people have concerns about someone.
Monday 20 to Friday 24 November is national Safeguarding Adults Week 2023. It aims to highlight key safeguarding issues, start conversations and raise awareness of safeguarding best practice, bringing together individuals and organisations to address specific topics under this year’s theme, ‘taking care of yourself and others.’
As part of the week, members of the council’s Safeguarding Adults team and staff from other council departments will be visiting town centres across the county to meet with residents, offer support and share advice on how to report concerns if you are worried about a friend, relative or colleague. The team will be at:
- Eden Centre, High Wycombe – Monday 20 November, 9am to 3pm
- Amersham Market, Tuesday 21 November, 9am to 3pm
- Friars Square, Aylesbury, Thursday 23 November, 9am to 3pm
Angela Macpherson, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said: “Everyone deserves to live a happy life, in a safe place, free from harm and neglect. Sadly, we know that abuse does take place. The current figures for 2022/23 show that we have received just over 12,000 reports of suspected abuse and neglect of an adult living in Buckinghamshire. We are committed to helping all adults live a safe and happy life free from abuse. To do so, we need your help. Our message to people is – See something, say something, do something. If you have any suspicions about someone you know or are concerned by something you see, please get in touch with us so we can help.”
Knowing how to spot the signs of abuse is something everyone should be aware of. Abuse can happen anywhere and sometimes the victim themselves doesn’t realise what is happening to them is abuse. To find out more visit the website: https://careadvice.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/Report-a-concern-about-abuse-or-neglect/types-and-signs-of-abuse/
If you suspect abuse:
- Call the Safeguarding Adults Team on: 01296 383204 or 0800 137 915
- Email: [email protected]
As part of the week Buckinghamshire Council is running a series of daily webinars for professionals which will focus on different safeguarding themes, providing information and advice for individuals and organisations on safeguarding themselves and others.
Scams and fraud have a devastating effect on an individual’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. During Safeguarding Adults Week, Buckinghamshire & Surrey Trading Standards service is running two activities to raise awareness of the latest scams and provide practical advice on how to protect yourself from unscrupulous fraudsters.
A free online scam webinar is taking place on Tuesday 21 November at 10.30am. The event which will have live subtitles and will be signed in British Sign Language, will focus on how to spot and stop a scam. The session will also include information about why having a Power of Attorney, where a person gives another person they trust, the legal authority to make decisions on their behalf, is important, no matter what your age.
Register for your free place:
Members of the Trading Standards team will also be visiting Dobbies Garden Centres in Aylesbury and Beaconsfield on Friday 24 November from 10am to 3pm. Trading Standards officers, Scam Champion volunteers and local police officers will be on hand to chat with shoppers and residents on how to deal with scams and fraud, offering a range of free preventative and supportive measures such as no cold calling stickers and call blockers. The call blocker is a device which blocks 99% of scam and nuisance telephone calls.