Applicable to: All

This policy takes account of the Residential Holiday Schemes for Disabled Children (England) Regulations (2013) and the National Minimum Standards for Residential Holiday Schemes for Disabled Children (Department for Education).

This policy has been approved by the OMH Board of Trustees

Policy statement

We aim to create a family atmosphere on our holidays and therefore do not proactively seek, or encourage, attention or coverage from external media organisations.

However, we do acknowledge that our partners and benefactors may wish to report on our activities in their publications and online. We also acknowledge the importance of social media in the lives of our volunteers and as a tool to create an ‘OMH community’ which is sustained between the holidays themselves.

This media policy provides some brief guidance on reporting of OMH activities through formal and informal channels, as well as guidance on expected behaviour from volunteers and their use of personal devices for the recording, and sharing of media.

External reporting:

1. We refer to our holiday makers as “children and young people with learning difficulties” or “adults with learning difficulties” and ask that anyone reporting on our activities use the same or similar wording.
2. Anyone wishing to write about us is encouraged to contact one of the team (see the website for details) for help with their wording and for approval of images.

Internal policy

Explicit permission is sought from holiday makers themselves, or their family, to use photos and video taken during the week on our website and on official OMH controlled social media platforms (including, but not limited to, X, Facebook and Instagram), to celebrate and advertise the holiday, for publicity, recruitment or fundraising purposes and to share with volunteers, holiday makers and their families.

OMH take the greatest care to ensure that the family and holiday makers’ wishes are adhered to at all times.

Social Media

OMH’s X, Facebook and Instagram accounts are administrated by a small, designated number of current members of the Senior Team, who all have professional experience of maintaining social media accounts on behalf of large, respected organisations.

In the event of uncertainty over whether/what to post, internal discussion will be held within this team in order to reach a decision.

Facebook (**https://www.facebook.com/groups/2205242178/)** – The Oundle Mencap Facebook Group is a closed group only open to current and former volunteers to join.  Parents or holiday makers who request access will be politely declined with an explanation.  It is used primarily as a place to share news and updates with volunteers past and present, as well as generic (featuring no specific holiday makers) photographs from active holidays.

With regards the ability of members of the group to post their own content, any examples of incorrect use of language will be deleted with a reminder offered to the specific person.  Any consistent use of such language or sharing of malicious or offensive material will result in their immediate dismissal from the group along with relevant reporting to the Senior Management Team or Trustees.

X (@OundleMencap) - In terms of content, X is to be primarily used for sharing links to relevant stories and articles as well as information on OMH’s fundraising efforts and any news from OMH throughout the year. All information and relevant links should be e-mailed to the account operators in order to be considered for posting.

During the holidays themselves, X activity may extend to include photos and updates on the progress of the holiday. Only those holiday makers who have given permission will be included in any photos shared - as a general rule, close-camera portraits will not be shared.