NOVEMBER 2012 ISSUE 4 POLICE SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS SUCCESS AT NATIONAL AWARDS – SEE BACK PAGE volunteering isn’t “free” and that there is a need for WELCOME investment , not just monetary investment, but time – time to support and develop volunteers and ensure that the from the Editor volunteer programme is a professional and sustainable one that recognises the value that volunteers can bring into the Welcome to Issue 4 of police service. Volunteering Matters What I like about volunteering is that it is open to all ages Volunteering has been very and this can be seen on page 9 with Scott who joined Salford much in the news this summer Homewatch at 17 years of age, and our article celebrating with the volunteer contribution Margaret, Anne and Frank’s 90th birthdays – these to the London 2012 Olympics. wonderful volunteers have together given 15 years of As always I am in awe of the sheer commitment that volunteering to the police service which was not only volunteers give – and give they did to London 2012. When acknowledged by their force, but also with a letter from the I was watching the closing ceremony, I felt it was totally Prime Minister David Cameron. justified that the biggest cheer was for the Olympic volunteers. I hope you enjoy this issue and, as always, I welcome your Our country would not be the same without volunteers. feedback and contributions. Some of our own police volunteers were Game Makers and you can read Dara Ley’s account of participating in London Tina Shelton 2012. Let’s hope that this summer has gone a long way to Editor, Volunteering Matters show others how volunteering can really change the world we live in. Please send your views, ideas and articles to However it is important that organisations understand that [email protected] A NEW VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE FOR VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT One of the platforms that can be used to encourage debate and development in volunteer management is a webinar session. Warrington Voluntary Action host these regularly and they provides an opportunity for volunteer managers to get together virtually to share ideas and learn more about the profession. Tina Shelton, VM’s editor attended the webinar; ‘It takes a whole organisation – Educating up and out for involving volunteers‘which took place on 4th July. “In this special webinar broadcast, we explored how it takes a whole organisation to involve volunteers and what this really means for the role of volunteer management.” Tina went on to say “Usually, the webinar takes place on-line, however on this occasion, it was attended by volunteer managers across Warrington in person whilst the live webinar on line session took place to mark the occasion of a very special guest speaker, Susan J Ellis. Susan is the founder of www.energizeinc.com and is one of the leading thinkers, writers and speakers on volunteering and volunteer management. This was a great opportunity for people working with volunteers to learn, connect and gain inspiration for you and your role, and for those in the room an opportunity to meet Susan in person” The webinar broadcast explored how it takes a whole organisation to involve volunteers and discussed what this really means for the role of volunteer management. The webinar covered:- • How we can identify and work to our strengths as individuals • Understanding that we are leaders and show others the way • Being specific about the support we need from our organisations • Developing our role as educators and advocates • Strategically influencing to get others on board http://www.warringtonva.org.uk/ You can watch the webinar in full, previous webinars are also available on WVA’s YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/VMmovement My Gamesmaker role was as a volunteer just like being a Special Constable and involved working on the Guest Pass check-in desk inside the London 2012 Athletes Village, where I was welcoming the guests of the delegations, International Olympic Committee and of the athletes. Even though it was a challenge to find accommodation and figure out how to tell work I wanted yet Volunteering Matters asks Dara Ley another summer off, I committed to 4 from Cumbria Constabulary to report and a half weeks unpaid work. This on her experience as Games Maker at included 8:30 to 16:00 shifts Monday to the 2012 Olympics. Friday, which unfortunately meant having the joys of London transport at “After two years of applications, rush hour. interviews, training and a lot of waiting, back in May I finally got confirmation My first day as a Gamesmaker was one that I was going to work at the of the main highlights of the whole 4 Olympics. When I got the email I was weeks. That morning my jaw dropped lucky enough to be sitting in a bar when Dame Kelly Holmes rolled up at surrounded by friends, so an ideal place my desk requesting her guest pass! to begin celebrating and planning Even though she wasn’t competing summer 2012, safe to say I had a bad she was still buzzing with excitement, head in the morning. we had a quick ‘crack’ then she headed would definitely include holding a gold off to give Ryan Giggs and the rest medal, meeting Greg Rutherford, Boris of the GB footballers an inspirational Johnson and Clive Woodward, also talk. However I can’t say that I had soaking up the fantastic atmosphere in the same experience with Tessa Jowell, the Olympic Park. It allowed me to work MP, after me and her had slight alongside and interact with people from difference of opinion, but that’s the majority of 205 countries taking another story altogether! The first day part, which was one of the unexpected was pretty relaxed meaning I had bonuses of working at the Olympics and plenty of opportunities to snoop also means I now have plenty of around the village and get plenty of contacts for future travels. photos. As fun as it was I couldn’t wait to arrive Over the four weeks I saw and back to the lakes and mountains experienced some of the best bits of the breathe in some fresh air and relax in Olympics and of London. Highlights my own bed.” Met Police Volunteers have pulled out all the stops to help ensure the smooth running of the Met's Olympic operations An unexpected influx of more than 450 officers to the mutual aid accommodation centre at Imperial College meant it was all hands to the deck as the volunteers stepped up to assist MPS staff in processing all the officers. The officers had arrived later than expected as they had been registering their firearms at the armoury. The volunteers, whose main role was originally to assemble and distribute welcome packs, showed considerable flexibility by switching to checking the officers into the centre and answering phones. They then ensured the officers were in the right place in time to receive their first briefing. Deborah Wales, accommodation officer at Imperial College, said: "With the large numbers of officers arriving at once, we were unable to deal with this influx as all staff were fully deployed. The volunteers stepped in and provided an amazing response, acting professionally and calmly ensuring that officers from outside London received a smooth arrival." Darren Sheridan, Head of Met Police Volunteers, said: "Over 400 of our 1500 Met Police Volunteers supported mutual aid accommodation centres and muster briefing deployment centres across London during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Staff and officers alike commented on how friendly and hardworking the volunteers have been, providing invaluable support at a critical time. Their professionalism and dedication enhances and adds value to the work of MPS officers and staff, and I would like to thank them for all their efforts during this busy time." VOLUNTEERING MATTERS TWO GUEST ARTICLE - CLEVELAND Junior Neighbourhood Watch- By Karel Simpson, Special Superintendent A Special Interest Let’s go back to basics, as all serving regular police officers, specials and pcso’s are aware that catching offenders of crime ties up a tremendous amount of manpower, time and resources to achieve a satisfactory prosecution of those persons who committed the crime. Crime prevention if applied correctly can reduce the effort and time involved to reduce the level of crime. Within Cleveland police, Stockton District have had a Crime and Safety initiative which has been running for the past few years called Junior Neighbourhood Watch. This is targeted towards Primary schools, with the age range of children between 8 to 11 years, with the intention of giving good citizenship skills and crime prevention knowledge to the pupils before going on to secondary school. We all know peer pressure can turn young minds and naive hearts turning them to committing low level crimes and once started is not easy to stop which is why early intervention is vital. When JNHW first started in 2009, it was run by a volunteer series of talks on the history of the police service and the civilian co-ordinator who was later privately funded by the special constabulary. It soon became apparent from the schools taking part and a local housing group who were feedback that a little extra input was needed due to having problems with youngsters in and around their keeping the level of interest from the children going. I housing premises; Although the main driving force was started going into schools with full uniform and explaining from Cleveland Police, the fire brigade, RNLI and local what equipment and clothing we have to carry and wear authority were the only agencies involved.