The Links Group

We're very much looking forward to this event on equestrian and community safeguarding in September!
Sign up here: https://thelinksgroup.org.uk/veterinary-team-guidance/training/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSiM29leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFkWmlCVEFORDJycU83S0lDc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgQKMsz2Va_fdpgp5Os5TegaVs-SOi1jv8mqEMPE_AL2ZGkI1OSrI0RycnyQ_aem_6wx2__yquQ7_-yk58-j2lA

💜 This conversation matters to all of us 💜
Join experts & practitioners for a powerful symposium exploring safeguarding, coercive control, domestic abuse, animal welfare & the role we all play in breaking the silence.
Book your place using the link below -
Go to Training & scroll to 30th September.

https://thelinksgroup.org.uk/veterinary-team-guidance/training/

Tell us what you're doing to support Loneliness Awareness Week!

Research from Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and The Pet Effect shows that the Human-Animal Bond helps to tackle loneliness and social isolation.

To find out more about this important concept, watch the free webinar by Dr Elizabeth Ormerod, courtesy of the Society for Companion Animal Studies on The Links Group Learning Hub.

One week to go to the Equestrian Safeguarding event with Leonard Consultancy!
Wednesday 24 June 2026 from 7-10pm
Meadows Equestrian Centre, Embankment Road, Lurgan, Co. Armagh, BT66 6FD
Marcella Leonard MBE and Charlotte Creighton will be joined by The Links Group and the NSPCC's Child Protection in Sports Unit for a workshop which will provide education on having a 'Safe' Yard, policies, procedures, codes of conduct as well as what is the learning for the sport from the Katie Simpson Review.
To book, please visit: https://lnkd.in/eswCPFxk.

Join us from 10:00-12:30 on Friday 19 June 2026 for a free live webinar!

The Use and Abuse of Animals by Perpetrators of Domestic Abuse is presented by domestic abuse and animal fostering experts.

Suitable for people working in human and/or animal welfare services.

To book your free place, email [email protected] today.

is the world's largest campaign to inspire conversations about loneliness and promote connection.

It’s hosted by Marmalade Trust, and runs from June 15-21 2026.

Veterinary and animal welfare professionals, as well as health care professionals worldwide, recognise the importance of the Human-Animal Bond in helping to tackle loneliness and social isolation, as research on The Pet Effect from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) shows.

Find out what you can do to support from your practice, school or workplace by visiting our blog and the Loneliness Awareness Week resources page. https://thelinksgroup.org.uk/loneliness-awareness-week-and-the-human-animal-bond/

Final call for research participants! Get in touch by 20 June - www.refuge4pets.org.uk/research/

The study aims to deepen understanding and ultimately reduce harm to both people and animals.

This Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs funded study by Dr Mary Wakeham and team at the University of Bristol into The Use and Abuse of Animals in Domestic Abuse-Related Deaths is supported by Refuge4Pets and The Links Group.

Participants could be survivors of domestic abuse, family members, friends, witnesses affected by domestic abuse–related deaths, and professionals. Please get in touch to share your perspective!

Equestrian Safeguarding Workshop - Join us on Weds 24 June 2026 7-10pm at Meadows Equestrian Centre, Co. Armagh.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/equestrian-safeguarding-tickets-1990044605987?msockid=36241e9456766c50344509f357df6d70

Increase your knowledge of safeguarding and how it applies to you, your staff, your yard, and your horses.
Marcella Leonard MBE and her colleague Charlotte Creighton LLB from Leonard Consultancy will deliver a workshop on:
Having a 'Safe' Yard
Policies, procedures, codes of conduct
Learnings for the sport from the Katie Simpson Review.

Marcella and Charlotte will be joined by The Links Group's Strategic Delivery Lead and NI-based vet Andrea Lynch, and the NSPCC ’s Child Protection in Sport lead, Paul Stephenson.

Image credit - jon-tyson-7qntxlEmmxw-unsplash-1080x675

Football doesn’t cause domestic abuse, but domestic abuse spikes during men’s football tournaments.

Whenever the England men’s team plays, there is an increase in domestic abuse reports – regardless of the result. Existing abuse can become more severe or frequent during big men’s football tournaments, such as the upcoming World Cup.

Through their campaign, Hestia Charity is raising awareness of the heightened risk of domestic abuse during men’s international football tournaments, helping people recognise the signs, and equipping them with practical actions to support those at risk.

Find out about their free Bright Sky app and how you can support your clients, colleagues, team, family, friends and neighbours. Visit www.hestia.org/support-is-a-team-sport.

Equestrian safeguarding event: Join Leonard Consultancy, the NSPCC and The Links Group at an equestrian safeguarding event at Meadows Equestrian Centre, Co. Armagh, on 24/06/26 from 7-10pm.

Marcella Leonard MBE is a safeguarding specialist whose expertise is sought nationally and internationally both at strategic and operational levels in organisations. Together with her colleague Charlotte Creighton LLB, and joined by Paul Stephenson from the NSPCC's Child Protection in Sport Unity and Links Group Strategic Delivery Lead Andrea Lynch, Marcella will host a workshop to increase your knowledge of safeguarding and how it applies to you, your staff, your yard and your horses.

It will provide education on having a 'Safe' Yard, policies, procedures, codes of conduct as well as what is the learning for the sport from the Katie Simpson Review.

To book visit: https://lnkd.in/eswCPFxk

Image credit: rawpixel.com

Our final training initiative day for 2026 went swimmingly at the University of Sussex in Brighton, with a great turn out and a film crew on site!

Huge thanks to the team at MSD in the UK and Leopard Co for their support, and to all our guests, delegates and speakers for being incredible.

If you want to join us to find out more about our work - our conference is in November! Register your interest here: https://lnkd.in/ehzT5DtH