Community events, such as the Cardiff Half Marathon, are fantastic ways to support charities, boost fundraising efforts and instil a sense of local pride and spirit.
However, Ansvar the insurance experts for charity, faith and not-for-profit sectors are reminding organisations to carefully consider and manage potential risks to ensure the safety and success of their initiatives. They have provided a list of key considerations for event organisers looking to hold an event this year.
Adam Tier, Head of Underwriting at Ansvar commented: “With the seasons changing, we will start to see more community events taking place across the county. These events can be immensely rewarding and often draw insignificant crowds, injecting vibrancy into the local area and providing a platform for engagement. However, in light of their scale and sometimes unconventional nature, organisations need to be proactive in identifying and managing risks.”
The first recommendation is to plan for the unexpected and ensure to have a comprehensive contingency plan in place. This will help in the case of unforeseen circumstances such as adverse weather conditions, unexpected emergencies or technical failures.
It’s also important to have an adequate amount of volunteers and marshals to help with crowd control, emergency response and overall event coordination to ensure the smooth operation of events. Having enough support is essential and they must be trained sufficiently on safety protocols.
The event must be well protected with adequate insurance coverage. Securing the right insurance will protect you as an organiser from financial losses associated with cancellations, property damage or other unforeseen incidents and will provide peace of mind for yourself and the participants.
Additionally, considering whether the chosen location or venue can accommodate the expected amount of people, ensuring that the location is equipped is vital for participant safety.
To protect yourself further, you must obtain the necessary permits and permissions from the local authorities. This may include permits for using public spaces, serving alcohol or setting up temporary structures.
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