Issue 30 | SUMMER EDITION 2020 THIS ISSUE FEATURES POLICE SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY they give freely to volunteering in policing. WELCOME I hope you all managed to view As we all adapt to a the wonderful new way of life, it’s been #thankyou comforting to know that DVD that was we can keep in touch with launched on 1 familiar faces and routines June featuring of our daily lives at least the National virtually rather than in Police Chief person, and now slowly Council Leads reconnect whilst maintaining for Citizens in he was the ‘village bobby’ for Mere for 27 years a social distance. Policing. If you and more recently spent several years as the haven’t seen it Police Information Point Volunteer for Mere. So until that happy day when we’ll be able then you can do In this latter role, John was a regular fixture at to come out of lockdown completely, and so by accessing the local café – running a drop in session for life returns, albeit perhaps differently, I hope the below links: members of his community to receive advice our Citizens in Policing are accessing the and information to keep them well-informed communications that Forces have put in place Google and safe. It was his dedication to this voluntary to stay connected with policing. drive: https://drive.google.com/file/ role and his keenness to offer his services for d/1k1uWWPaNSp06Z5hPSG6q4UE-uPe3Ir-F/ all aspects of volunteering and events that Perhaps, for some, there has been one positive view?usp=sharing saw John receive the Police Support Volunteer of lockdown – it has given people the chance to or of the Year Award at last year’s South West sit back and relax – something we don’t always We Transfer: https://we.tl/t-jKDaoQjcFs Region Special Constabulary and Police do in our “normal” busy lives and be able to Volunteer Awards Ceremony. He will be hugely focus on some “me” time! Our Citizens in Policing are a hugely important missed by all those who knew him. part of the police family, the passion and We thank our Police Volunteers for “sticking enthusiasm of all of our Volunteers is truly John was married to Rita and this year they with us” – many Volunteers have had to stay at commendable and they play an integral role in were due to celebrate their Golden Wedding home, for a variety of reasons, but I think I am policing. Anniversary. Our sincerest condolences go out right in speaking for everyone in policing; we to Rita, their daughter Angela and their wider are looking forward to having our Volunteers Please say connected, stay positive and stay family including John’s granddaughter Chelsie back with us. safe who is keen to follow in John’s footsteps as a Police Officer one day. There are many fond Thank you to those of you who have been Tina Shelton memories and stories about John (not least how able to give, and increase in some cases, your WE WOULD LIKE TO his former colleagues once entered him into a volunteer commitment throughout COVID-19 REMEMBER VOLUNTEER wrestling match as John ‘Gripper’ Hancock – a and have demonstrated such flexibility, often nickname which stuck ever since). Wiltshire taking up different roles to help support your Editor JOHN ‘GRIPPER’ HANCOCK Police opened a condolence book to share Force during the Pandemic. memories and pass on messages of support to WHO TRAGICALLY PASSED John’s family –as a keepsake for John’s family The last months responding to the Coronavirus AWAY 21 MAY 2020 AND to remind them how fondly remembered he is Pandemic have obviously been a really difficult by all those in the police family he so loved. period for policing and our communities. WAS A LIFE-LONG MEMBER National Volunteers Week this year has been OF THE POLICING FAMILY The Covid-19 Pandemic has changed so many very different too, but Forces still wanted to aspects of daily life and this has sadly impacted ensure that the contributions Citizens in Policing on the way in which we can gather together to have made to policing prior to COVID-19 did not John had a lifelong connection with Wiltshire celebrate the lives of our friends and loved ones go unrecognised. There are articles throughout Police having joined as a Police Cadet in 1965 when they pass away. As such, John’s funeral this issue to recognise the huge contribution before serving as a Police Officer from 1968 was limited to a small number of family and Police Support Volunteers make, and also to through to his retirement in 1997. friends in line with the Government guidelines. thank them for the time and commitment that His family have expressed that they wish to John was the embodiment of community hold a Memorial Service for John when it is safe policing and truly loved serving his community – to do so. Volunteering Matters has been produced with support from Graham Front Page: GMP Police Support Volunteer Wendy Holmes,Volunteers, Force Practitioners and Communications Teams. If you would like to be placed on the e-subscription list Please send you articles to the Editor: please email: [email protected] [email protected] 2 VOLUNTEERING MATTERS Issue 30 Issue 30 VOLUNTEERING MATTERS 3 working with the High Sheriff on a large project STAFFORDSHIRE and when she leaves in two months’ time she POLICE CADETS has asked to come back as a Leader. I have never been more proud of any Cadet in Cadet Coordinator, Graham Smout, tells all the years I have been involved. Special Impact the story of Ella: Ella’s presentation was truly amazing and she “I first came across Ella Venables when I went has since delivered this to other Units within the are supported during this time. to Chase High School to give a presentation Police Cadets again with the same response. I about Volunteer Police Cadets. I was pre- have no doubt that this young lady will go on to York Council is signposting some of the most warned by the teacher in charge that there was be a fantastic example of what Police Cadets isolated individuals that have raised anxiety an “awkward” young female in the group who can do for someone.” around Covid-19 to a team of volunteers to would question everything I said and check in with them weekly or sometimes daily. would have a very forthright opinion The team of volunteers have been fantastic at on everything. It was obvious from the start who this was when this loud adapting to a new role, having to think on their and in your face individual walked feet as to the different issues brought up and to into the room. Having managed support people with coping strategies to help to get out the first few words, lessen people’s anxieties. comments were passed and opinions voiced by this individual. She was The team have been supporting people to told to be quiet twice, the second quite forcibly by the teacher. After ensure they are receiving their food parcels, that she remained quiet and took in medication deliveries and support concerns the presentation. around financial difficulties. These calls have been lifesaving to some individuals who have At the end of the presentation found themselves in total isolation with no questions were asked but this girl was very quiet. As she walked past family or neighbours to check in on them. me I said to her: “So when are you joining Police Cadets?” Her reply NORTH YORKSHIRE Natasha Almond, the Citizens in Policing was not printable but on being Coordination Manager, reports: “The team offered a form she snatched it out of POLICE SHARE of Volunteers has done an amazing job and my hand and walked away. ‘Told you’ have ensured that those most isolated were came the comment from the teacher. VOLUNTEERS WITH contacted over the Easter Bank Holiday where A few days later this form appeared people might feel even more isolated. The on my desk at Police Headquarters. MULTI-AGENCY Volunteers have had to face many difficult Having cleared her to go to the questions raised through the conversations, Cannock Unit but the following week PARTNERS which are reported back to the Council to to be honest they could not handle ensure their individual needs are met”. her. She was transferred to me at North Yorkshire Police are working in partnership with York Council and the Voluntary Stafford. Within 2 weeks all the Volunteers have been innovative in suggesting Leaders were asking for her to be Sector to pool their vetted volunteers to support activities people can do within an enclosed removed, but something said to me welfare checks. They offered up their volunteers environment and helping to change individual’s to persevere with her. There was good who are fully vetted and ready to be deployed in this girl and all she needed was a negative perspectives into positive. North to fill the void as other organisations recruit, helping hand and guidance. Yorkshire Police are currently working with vet and induct their own volunteers. They work partners to see how their volunteer drivers can Three months ago, some 15 months closely with partners throughout the year, which support the delivery of medication. after joining the Stafford Cadet Unit, has enabled this multi-agency approach to be Ella stood up in front of the Unit and set up quickly and ensure the most vulnerable delivered a heart-warming assessment of how she has changed and how much she owed to the Police Cadets.