Mind Warriors (Addlestone) CIC – Company No. 1717565

Anti-Bullying and Harassment Policy

1. Policy Statement
   Mind Warriors (Addlestone) CIC is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, inclusive and
   supportive environment for everyone who engages with our organisation. We believe that all
   individuals have the right to be treated with dignity, kindness and respect.
   We operate a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, intimidation and victimisation. Any
   behaviour that undermines the emotional or physical wellbeing of another person will be taken
   seriously and addressed promptly, fairly and compassionately.
   As a peer support organisation supporting emotional and mental health, we recognise that many
   people accessing our services may have experienced trauma, bullying, discrimination or adverse life
   experiences. Our approach is therefore trauma-informed, person-centred and focused on safety,
   accountability and support.
2. Scope
   This policy applies to all:

• Participants
• Volunteers
• Directors
• Facilitators and session leaders
• Contractors and partners
• Visitors attending Mind Warriors activities
• Individuals engaging with Mind Warriors online, including social media and messaging
  platforms
  This policy applies during:
• Group sessions and activities
• Workshops and events
• Fundraising activities
  Mind Warriors (Addlestone) CIC© – Registered in England & Wales, Company No. 17175651
• Online meetings and digital communications
• Private social media groups administered by Mind Warriors
• Any situation where an individual is representing or participating in Mind Warriors activities

1. Definition of Bullying
   Bullying is behaviour that intentionally or unintentionally causes hurt, fear, distress, humiliation,
   intimidation or exclusion. It may be a single serious incident or a pattern of behaviour over time.
   Bullying can include, but is not limited to:
   Verbal bullying

• Name-calling
• Insults or offensive language
• Humiliation or ridicule
• Threatening or intimidating behaviour
  Emotional or psychological bullying
• Exclusion from activities or groups
• Manipulation or coercive behaviour
• Deliberately undermining someone’s confidence
• Gossiping or spreading rumours
  Physical bullying
• Physical intimidation
• Unwanted physical contact
• Damage to personal property
  Cyberbullying
• Offensive messages
• Harassment through social media or messaging apps
  Mind Warriors (Addlestone) CIC© – Registered in England & Wales, Company No. 17175651
• Sharing confidential information without consent
• Online intimidation or exclusion
  Discriminatory bullying
  Bullying related to a person’s:
• Age
• Disability
• Race or ethnicity
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Gender identity
• Sexual orientation
• Pregnancy or maternity status
• Marriage or civil partnership status
• Any other protected characteristic

1. Expected Behaviour
   Everyone involved with Mind Warriors is expected to:

• Treat others with kindness, dignity and respect
• Respect personal boundaries
• Listen without judgement
• Value diversity and individual experiences
• Maintain confidentiality where appropriate
• Raise concerns constructively
• Help create a safe and supportive environment
  Differences of opinion are normal and acceptable; bullying, intimidation and harassment are not.
  Mind Warriors (Addlestone) CIC© – Registered in England & Wales, Company No. 17175651

1. Recognising Community Relationships
   Mind Warriors operates within a local community where participants, volunteers and directors may
   know one another through other organisations, support services, wellbeing activities, therapies or
   social groups.
   Such relationships are not prohibited. However:

• Professional and personal boundaries must be maintained during Mind Warriors activities.
• Confidentiality relating to Mind Warriors participants must always be respected.
• Individuals must not use external relationships to influence, exclude, intimidate or
  disadvantage others within Mind Warriors.
• Any concerns regarding boundaries or conflicts of interest should be raised with the
  Directors.

1. Reporting Bullying
   Anyone who experiences or witnesses bullying is encouraged to report it as soon as possible.
   Concerns can be raised with:

• A Director
• A designated safeguarding lead
• A session facilitator
• Via email to: info@mindwarriorsaddlestone.co.uk
  Reports will be treated seriously, sensitively and confidentially wherever possible.
  No individual will be disadvantaged or victimised for raising a genuine concern.

1. Responding to Bullying Concerns
   When a concern is raised, Mind Warriors will:
2. Listen to all parties involved respectfully and without judgement.
3. Assess any immediate risks to wellbeing or safety.
4. Record the concern appropriately.
5. Investigate proportionately and fairly.
   Mind Warriors (Addlestone) CIC© – Registered in England & Wales, Company No. 17175651
6. Consider support needs for everyone involved.
7. Decide on any necessary actions.
   Actions may include:

• Informal discussion and support
• Mediation where appropriate
• Additional supervision or boundaries
• Temporary suspension from activities
• Permanent exclusion from Mind Warriors activities where necessary
• Referral to safeguarding procedures where appropriate

1. Support
   Mind Warriors recognises that bullying can have a significant impact on emotional and mental
   health.
   Support may include:

• Emotional support and wellbeing check-ins
• Signposting to specialist services
• Temporary adjustments to participation arrangements
• Additional support from volunteers or facilitators where appropriate
  We also recognise that individuals displaying bullying behaviours may themselves require support
  and intervention.

1. Confidentiality
   All reports and investigations will be handled sensitively and confidentially.
   Information will only be shared where necessary:

• To protect someone’s safety or wellbeing
• To comply with safeguarding obligations
• To comply with legal requirements
  Mind Warriors (Addlestone) CIC© – Registered in England & Wales, Company No. 17175651
• To ensure fair investigation and resolution

1. False or Malicious Allegations
   Mind Warriors encourages all concerns to be raised in good faith.
   Knowingly false, malicious or vexatious allegations may themselves be treated as misconduct and
   addressed appropriately.
2. Monitoring and Review
   The Directors of Mind Warriors (Addlestone) CIC are responsible for implementing and reviewing this
   policy.
   This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if:

• Legislation changes;
• Significant incidents occur; or
• Organisational learning identifies the need for amendment.

1. Related Policies
   This policy should be read alongside:

• Safeguarding Policy
• Code of Conduct
• Complaints Policy
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
• Confidentiality Policy
• Volunteer Policy
  Mind Warriors (Addlestone) CIC believes that everyone deserves to feel safe, heard, respected and
  valued. We are committed to creating a community where kindness, compassion and mutual respect
  guide everything we do.
  Mind Warriors (Addlestone) CIC© – Registered in England & Wales, Company No. 17175651
  Adopted on: 1st July 2026
  Next Review Date: 1st July 2027
  Approved by Directors Date: 1st July 2026

Signature:

Signature:

Signature:

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