While safeguarding discussions often focus on responding to harm, safeguarding is equally about creating cultures where people get the support they need to achieve their aspirations, make informed choices, and participate fully in the activities they love.
A powerful recent example comes from British gymnast Alice Kinsella, who recently returned to elite gymnastics following the birth of her son.
Alice’s story highlights the importance of listening to individuals and providing the support they need to succeed.
Challenging Assumptions
For many years, there has been a perception that motherhood marks the end of an elite sporting career. This is particularly the case in sports such as gymnastics where athletes often reach the highest levels of competition at a young age.
However, after giving birth to her son Parker, Alice was determined to continue her gymnastics journey. Rather than stepping away from the sport, she set herself the goal of returning to international competition. Just over a year later, she was selected to represent Great Britain at the 2026 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Rotterdam.
In doing so, she became the first British women’s artistic gymnast to return to elite competition after having a baby. “I’m just happy to be here,” she said.
Alice’s story illustrates what can happen when organisations listen, adapt, and work collaboratively with individuals to help them achieve the outcomes that matter to them.
Listening to the Individual
In interviews discussing her return, Alice highlighted the support she received from British Gymnastics during and after her pregnancy. She explained that national coaches and staff actively sought advice and guidance from others who had successfully returned to gymnastics after having children, helping them develop an approach that would support her return.
Rather than making assumptions about what was possible, the organisation listened to what Alice wanted to achieve and worked to understand how they could support her.
This reflects many of the principles that underpin effective safeguarding practice. Meaningful safeguarding is about listening to people, understanding individual circumstances, and working together to identify solutions that support the individual’s wellbeing, participation, and safety.
Every Voice
Athlete mothers may struggle to ensure their voices are heard.
Historically, women returning to sport after pregnancy have often faced barriers, uncertainty, or a lack of established pathways. In a sport where there were few precedents, Alice’s experience demonstrates the value of organisations genuinely listening to the people they support. She described herself as a “guinea pig” for a new way of managing such situations.
When individuals feel their voice matters, they are more likely to engage and contribute.
Good safeguarding means creating environments where people can talk openly about their needs, concerns, and aspirations. This can help build trust while promoting inclusion and athlete wellbeing.
Every Choice
At the heart of Making Safeguarding Personal is the principle that people should have genuine choice and control over decisions affecting their lives.
For Alice, returning to elite sport was her choice. She has spoken publicly about how she always intended to return to gymnastics after having her baby. She stressed how she was determined to achieve this goal.
Organisations should never limit anyone’s aspirations based on their assumptions of what they can or cannot do. Instead, they should consider how they can support people to make informed choices so they can work towards their own goals.
Beyond sport and physical activity settings, this principle also applies to workplaces, community organisations, and beyond.
Co-Production in Action
Co-production means working with people rather than doing things to them.
In many ways, the support Alice received reflects this approach. There was no standard blueprint for supporting a British artistic gymnast returning after childbirth. To find a solution required a lot of learning, adaptation, and collaboration.
By listening to the athlete, seeking expertise, and adapting support accordingly, the organisation eventually created a more inclusive pathway.
Crucially, the impact of this may extend beyond one individual athlete. Every time organisations respond positively to people’s experiences and needs, they help create more inclusive environments for everyone.
Creating Cultures Where People Can Thrive
Ultimately, Alice’s story reminds us that that promoting wellbeing, inclusion, and opportunity lies at the heart of effective safeguarding.
It is important for any organisation in any sector to ask:
- Are we listening to what people want?
- Are we creating environments where people feel heard?
- Are we supporting people to make choices about their own lives?
- Are we working alongside people to achieve the outcomes that matter to them?
Alice Kinsella’s inspiring return to the world stage offers an important reminder of what we can achieve when organisations place individuals at the centre of decision-making.
Every gymnast’s journey is different, and it’s important that we take the time to listen, understand what matters to them and recognise how we can best support them.
Becoming a parent is a huge life change, and Alice’s journey shows that it doesn’t have to mean giving up on the things you love or the goals you want to achieve. We’re proud to have supported Alice on her journey back into gymnastics and we’re so proud of what she’s been able to achieve this past year.
It highlights to us the importance of wanting to create an environment where everyone feels they belong, are encouraged to be themselves and have the opportunity to pursue their ambitions, whatever their circumstances.
British Gymnastics