Katie Matlin has been an actively involved volunteer at Borehamwood United Synagogue for a number of years, with her two areas of focus being safeguarding and children’s programming. Together, these responsibilities help ensure that the shul is not only a welcoming place for families, but also a safe, supportive environment where children and vulnerable adults are cared for.
With extensive safeguarding experience and professional training, Katie felt that this busy but rewarding role made sense for her.
“I knew a lot about safeguarding in other settings but I wanted to ensure everyone realises how much there was to consider in a shul, where we’re supporting both adults and children. It’s been really interesting to learn more about how safeguarding works within a united synagogue community,” Katie says.
At the heart of her role is raising awareness. While many people naturally think about physical security, fire evacuations or first aid, safeguarding is about protecting people’s welfare and ensuring vulnerable people feel comfortable sharing any concerns they may have.
One of her key priorities has been helping those in positions of responsibility to understand that anyone could be the person a child or vulnerable adult chooses to approach for help.
“You could be the person someone decides to open up to,” she explains. “When someone reaches out for help, we all have a responsibility to act on it. That’s why it’s so important that everyone understands what safeguarding is and knows what to do.”
To achieve this, Katie has introduced regular training, including a recent safeguarding training session for Children’s Service leaders and a volunteers briefing before Rosh Hashanah. These gave the attendees the confidence in knowing how to respond if a safeguarding incident were to occur.
Day to day, Katie’s role includes responding to concerns, supporting anyone involved in safeguarding incidents, communicating with the United Synagogue head office and educating volunteers.
“If safety and welfare come first, everything else can thrive. When families, children and vulnerable members know they’re supported, they can fully enjoy being part of the community,” Katie says.
Alongside safeguarding, Katie also leads the synagogue’s children’s programming, overseeing children’s services and planning an exciting calendar of events throughout the year.
“My aim is always for children to love coming to shul, building connections with their friends there and enjoying special Jewish experiences.”
The busy schedule includes regular events such as Birthday Breakfast and Token Swap, as well as events for Chaggim such as a Succah Crawl, Borehamwood’s Got Talent, a ‘Rainbow Kiddush’ for Parashat Noach, a Chanukah disco and more.
For Katie, seeing the impact of volunteers working together is one of the most rewarding parts of the role. “At Borehamwood shul, there are so many volunteers who all support one another to create an environment where every member of the community can feel welcome and safe; that’s what makes a community.”