Our commitment
The wellbeing and safety of every child is at the heart of everything GESMA does. We are committed to providing a caring, respectful, and secure environment where children can learn, grow in their faith, and feel comfortable at all times.
Working closely with parents
Our approach to safeguarding is built on staying closely connected with parents and guardians. Parents remain the primary point of contact for their child throughout every session, and we keep that connection at the centre of how we work.
For any matter that concerns a child, whether about their learning, wellbeing, behaviour, or comfort, we approach the parent directly. We believe the family is best placed to support and respond to their child, so we keep parents informed and involved rather than acting alone.
- Parents and guardians are warmly welcomed and encouraged to stay connected during sessions.
- Any concern, question, or observation about a child is raised with their parent first.
- Children are only released at the end of a session to a parent or a guardian the family has approved.
- We share session updates, schedules, and any changes with parents openly and promptly.
Our volunteers and teachers
Everyone who teaches or volunteers with GESMA is expected to behave with kindness, patience, and respect, and to maintain appropriate, professional conduct with children at all times. Volunteers work in shared, open spaces and are never alone in a closed setting with a child.
A safe environment
- Sessions are held in supervised, open settings with other families and volunteers present.
- Children are treated with care and never subjected to harsh, unkind, or inappropriate treatment.
- We listen to children and take anything they tell us seriously.
Raising a concern
If you have any worry about the safety or wellbeing of a child in our programmes, please speak to us straight away. We will always listen, treat your concern seriously, and work together with the family to respond appropriately.
Any allegation of abuse, neglect, or serious risk to a child will be treated seriously and may be referred to the appropriate authorities where required by Swiss law.
To raise a safeguarding concern, contact us at info@gesma.ch or speak directly to a GESMA teacher or volunteer at any session.