Safety and Safeguarding at Star and Shadow Cinema

Safer Spaces

We have a Safer Spaces Statement, which all volunteers read during their induction. You can read it here:

We take all concerns around safety, abuse, and wellbeing seriously—whether they affect our volunteers, audience members, or anyone in our community. We are committed to continually developing our safety policies as we grow in understanding and awareness. We welcome input from all volunteers.

If you’ve experienced abuse in our building or online spaces, we hope you feel able to come forward. Our safer space procedures and safeguarding policy are in place to support you and ensure safe, confidential communication.

Conflict and Breaches of Safer Spaces

In a collective space like Star and Shadow, conflict is inevitable. Most issues are resolved informally—through direct, respectful conversations between those involved.

However, when communication breaks down or additional support is needed, our Mediation Collective can help. They offer support to work through conflict in a constructive, fair, and compassionate way. The current collective is Dawn Felicia Knox, Amanda McBride and Steve Watson. They can be contacted at: 7cz@starandshadow.org.uk

We take breaches of our Safer Spaces principles seriously. If something has happened that goes against these values, we encourage you to raise it so it can be addressed appropriately. Read more about conflict resolution at the Star and Shadow here.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is a legal responsibility. If a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of harm, we are required to report this to social care services. This is not about providing direct care—it is about ensuring concerns are shared with those who are trained and authorised to act. The current safeguarding officer is Josephine Walker.

If you need to report or disclose a safeguarding concern involving a volunteer at Star and Shadow Cinema, please email: safeguarding@starandshadow.org.uk

Further resources

Rape Crisis Newcastle upon Tyne - support for women and girls, (“We are for all women including, but not limited to, women who identify as Lesbian, Bi, Trans and/or Questioning; Black, Minority Ethnic and Refugee women; and disabled women.”)


Telephone: 0800 035 2794 

Email: emailsupport@rctn.org.uk

Website: https://rctn.org.uk/

National Male Survivors Helpline - support for men, (“We support everyone regardless of age, gender/gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status, ethnicity, religion/faith, pregnancy and maternity status or disability or position in life, as well as families and friends of people who have been abused.”

Telephone (Survivors Helpline): 0808 800 5005
Email: support@safeline.org.uk

Website: https://www.safeline.org.uk/what-we-do/men/

Childline - support for children:

Telephone: 0800 1111
Email: you sign up to an account on their website and email them through your account.
Website: https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/abuse-safety/rape-sexual-assault/ 


LGBT+ Switchboard:

Email:chris@switchboard.lgbt
Website: https://switchboard.lgbt/

http://www.galop.org.uk/
this is another useful organisation for LGBTQ+ identifying people specifically for domestic violence.

If you have been affected by any harassment at Star and Shadow and would like to come forward to share this information to receive support, please contact our safeguarding team by this email:

safeguarding@starandshadow.org.uk

Everything disclosed will be confidential.