Safeguarding concerns, practices, and resources in COVID-19 mutual aid groups

Community mutual aid groups that sprang up during the COVID-19 pandemic were able to respond flexibly to local needs. Their informal character built trust with local communities, but also meant an absence of formal regulation and hence potential issues around safeguarding. However, there has been little research on COVID mutual aid groups’ safeguarding practices. In the present study, eight organizers of COVID mutual aid groups in the UK describe their group’s concerns, and existing safeguarding resources, and resources they would find useful in the future. Groups often created their own policies, training, reference materials, and safeguarding roles as a way of implementing safeguarding measures. Interviewees expressed three types of concerns around safeguarding: protection from harm (of both volunteers and members of the public), retaining character of mutual aid, and making appropriate referrals. The solutions suggested by interviewees included educational materials, training, funding, consultation, a signposting database, and a forum for COVID mutual aid groups. Some of these needs could be provided by developing relationships with formal community groups. This study suggests some of the mechanisms whereby informal community support groups can retain their grassroots identity and yet protect the health, wellbeing and rights of volunteers and those they work with.