Policies

BOOKING, CANCELLATION AND INSURANCE POLICY

When a participant expresses an interest in booking one of our trips they should, if they wish to secure a berth, pay a  deposit that is equal to 33% of the total fee of the booking.  To help spread the cost we then require two further payments of 33% eight and four weeks before the start of the voyage.  You can of course pay the full amount up front which helps our cash flow!

If the participant wishes to cancel after they have paid the full amount we will offer a refund only if we can find a replacement to take on the booking.  If we are unable to find another person to take their place we will not be able to make a refund.

If the participant cancels before paying the full amount i.e. before the eight & four week deadline then they aren’t liable to pay the balance but they won’t be eligible for a refund of the deposit if we are unable to find a replacement.

If the participant has symptoms of or has been diagnosed with an infectious disease or infectious illness they should not take part in the trip. This will apply, for example, if they have tested positive for the coronavirus and have been advised to self isolate. We will not be able to provide a refund unless we are able to find another person to replace the participant.

It is, therefore, important that anyone booking a trip with us takes out travel insurance, which should include medical and cancellations cover. There are specialist sailing companies that will provide cover.

If the Association cancels or postpones the trip, for example, because of government advice, participants will be eligible for a full refund including the deposit. In the case of a trip being moved to another date a participant who wishes to secure a place on the new date will be able to do so with the amount they have paid. Updated: March 2022

Safeguarding Policy

Our organisation only works with adults, most of whom live independently. We recognise that it is important that we comply with best practice and welcome the input from members, volunteers and organisations on all areas of our operation.
Our current safeguarding policy is as follows:
Safeguarding Adults –
‘Safeguarding means protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It is about people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, while at the same time making sure that the adult’s wellbeing is promoted including, where appropriate, having regard to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action. This must recognise that adults sometimes have complex interpersonal relationships and may be ambivalent, unclear or unrealistic about their personal circumstances’
Visa-gb values are underpinned by these safeguarding policy commitments.
Visa-gb Board of Trustees are committed to ensuring a continual improvement in safeguarding practice and to support this have endorsed the policy commitments:
Promoting a safe and trusted environment and a culture that prioritises safeguarding.
All Visa-gb volunteers and trustees will respect adults at risk and promote their well-being first and foremost.
Visa-gb will strive to create and maintain environments which are safe for everyone who has dealings with Visa-gb. This will be achieved by:
• Volunteer training;
• effective communication;
• organisational learning,
• monitoring events, meetings and communication to ensure good practice is maintain at all times.
Visa-gb will train all volunteers and trustees in working to this policy by challenging poor practice and reporting all safeguarding concerns and abuse to the nominated trustee.

Trustees: Safeguarding role and responsibilities
Trustees must take reasonable steps to protect those connected with Visa-gb from harm. This includes:
• people who benefit from Visa-gb activities
• volunteers
• other people connected to Visa-gb activities.
‘Any failure by trustees to manage safeguarding risks adequately would be a serious regulatory concern to the Charity Commission who may consider misconduct and/or mismanagement in the administration of Visa-gb and may be a breach of trustee duty’. Trustees can be held responsible for any consequences or loss that Visa-gb incurs if they have not followed their duties.
Visa-gb Trustees will ensure:
• there is a clear line of responsibility for and reporting to them safeguarding matters;
• that safeguarding practice complies with statutory and national guidance, and local best practice;
• the reporting procedures to deal with safeguarding concerns and allegations are clear and easy to follow;
• roles and responsibilities are explicitly outlined and clear to all attending a Visa-gb event.
• Any failures by any person connected with Visa-gb to follow the safeguarding policy and procedures will be dealt with as a serious matter;
• there is a culture of learning from poor practice;
• there is a clear recruitment procedure in place which is linked to the wider safeguarding process;
• Effective and ongoing appropriate safeguarding training for all Visa-volunteers and trustees, is provided when needed;
• Effective and accurate record keeping in accordance with GDPR 2018 and;
• serious incidents are reported to the Charity Commission in accordance with their statutory obligations.

Visa-gb Safeguarding Officer, David Thompson, can be contacted on 07736 300875 or by email on: safeguarding@visa-gb.org.uk.  All reports and information are treated as strictly confidential.

The Trustees of Visa-gb confirm that the Visually Impaired Sailing Association abides and complies with the RYA safeguarding for adults policy, this is a link to that document:  https://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/hr-administration/administration/Safeguarding%20Vulnerable%20Adults/RYA%20Safeguarding%20Adults%20Policy%20and%20Guidelines%20Jan%202019.pdf

Covid-19 and how we work with it:

Visa-gb – COVID-19 guidance for sailing trips

Our top priority is the health and wellbeing of all our crew. To reduce the risk of anyone catching coronavirus during our trip please follow the guidance below:

Before travelling to the Visa-gb boat

1. Please make sure you are familiar with the rules that apply in England (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do), Wales (https://gov.wales/coronavirus) and in Scotland (https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/) and please make sure you follow them.
2. In addition to the kit list recommended by Visa-gb for all our trips please bring a pack COVID-19 lateral flow tests, (available from your local pharmacy), face coverings and hand sanitiser.
3. Please carry out a lateral flow test 48 hours before your travel to the Visa-gb boat.
   1. If the test is positive please notify your skipper and seek medical advice.
   2. Please do not travel to the Visa-gb boat.
4. If you exhibit COVID symptoms (see below) during your travel to the Visa-gb boat:
   1. Please do not join the boat and return to your home immediately and seek medical advice.
   2. Notify your skipper straightaway.

While in public places e.g. public transport, crowded places, the marina, restaurant, pub, etc

1. Please follow the rules laid down by the government and transport companies on social distancing and face coverings when travelling by public transport.
2. Please exercise social distancing when ashore and wear a face covering (unless exempt) where required.

While on the boat

1. Please do not create unnecessary crowding down below.
2. Please use a hand sanitiser and wash your hands regularly.
3. Please help to make sure all surfaces are clean at all times.
4. Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and dispose of any tissues used.
5. Carry out lateral flow tests if you have symptoms and one midway through the trip.

If we all follow this guidance the risk of catching and spreading the virus to others will be significantly reduced. However, if you do exhibit COVID symptoms (see below) while on the boat:

1. Please notify your skipper immediately.
2. All crew members on your boat will be asked to carry out a lateral flow test.
3. If anyone tests positive we will we will,
   1. as a priority take care of that crew member until we can get them to safety,
   2. follow government advice on daily test of the rest of the crew on the basis that they are all double jabbed, and

• get advice and take appropriate steps to reduce the risk of transmission both on the boat and to others.

Main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) – Extract from the NHS website

• a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.