ISSUE 13 INSIDE THIS ISSUE MEET CITIZENS IN POLICING FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY A THANK YOU From CHIEF CONSTABLE Dave JONES The first national survey to seek it. He said: “I believe it is hugely the views of Special Constables important that the views of and Police Support Volunteers has volunteers and Special Constables now ended. are sought before the future strategy of Citizens in Policing More than 3,000 responses were is set. We have had a very received from police services positive response to the survey across the country. The results and the initial results are very will now be used to inform the encouraging. new, national strategy for Citizens WELCOME in Policing. The survey was led “My thanks go to everyone who Volunteering has a long history, by North Yorkshire Police’s Chief has taken the time out of their traceable in Britain at least back to Constable Dave Jones who is the busy lives to complete the survey NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH CONFERENCE medieval times, when there was a National Police Chiefs’ Council’s which was quite lengthy and strong association between religion and ministration to the poor and lead for Citizens in Policing. in-depth. The data will now be sick. Estimates suggest that no fewer analysed in depth to help shape than 500 voluntary hospitals were Mr Jones thanked everyone the future direction of volunteering established in England during the 12th who took the time to complete across the police service.” and 13th centuries. “THE WAY AHEAd” The Neighbourhood Watch The event provided an The Community Life Survey states conference took place in opportunity to gather collective that in 2014-15, 69% of people had volunteered at least once in the last 12 December 2015, the objective thoughts on the advent of a months, a decrease compared to 2013- of the event was to make sure number of step changes which 14 (74%). However, the proportion CONGRATulaTIONS TO GMP of people formally volunteering has that their key volunteers, police will eventually result in some remained similar compared to 2013-14 and other important partners considerable sea changes (42% and 41% respectively). It is safe POLICE SUPPORT VoluNTEER to say that Police Support Volunteers have a shared understanding of within Neighbourhood Watch. and Volunteer Police Cadets numbers We would like where they are now, why they Over the next five years they have been growing significantly within to congratulate need to start doing some things will: the police service and Forces need to Meerna Elsayed, ensure that these Citizens in Policing differently and how they plan to are welcomed, involved and engaged who has been a • Be able to identify and in supporting police services to help take this forward. reduce crime and provide increased Police Support support proactive volunteers across the reassurance within their communities. Volunteer with A vital aspect of this is partnership working, movement GMP for 11 months It is extremely important to recognise and Neighbourhood Watch look forward and gave birth to the commitment that our volunteers give to strengthening their relationships and • Be able to measure the effectiveness of the to policing, and one way of doing this is baby Sophie on throughout National Volunteers Week. working together with partners to ensure the movement 9th November. This year celebrations will be extended Neighbourhood Watch movement remains and the event will be running from the Meerna says, “I am • Actively participate in the government’s 1-12 June. Volunteering Matters would effective in the changing world of crime like to be able to publish a vibrant mix thoroughly enjoying Modern Crime Prevention Strategy of activities and celebrations that will Sophie, who is prevention and policing. hopefully take place across Volunteers’ growing so quickly • Be able to prevent new and emerging Week showing how Forces have The event was fully sponsored enabling it celebrated those volunteers who give up already. I am crimes alongside other partners to take place at no cost to the taxpayer their time to serve their communities. We hoping to be back look forward to hearing from you. and there were various key speakers and volunteering in • Be able to secure adequate resources and I hope you enjoy this issue and thank workshops throughout the two days. funding at a national and force area level you to all those who have contributed. spring and returning to paid Tina Shelton work in August” Editor Front Page: North Wales Horse Watch Volunteering Matters is produced with support from Coordinator Helen Lacey SC Graham Holmes, Volunteers and Volunteer practitioners. If you would like to be placed on the Please send your views, ideas and articles to: e-subscription list please email: [email protected] [email protected] 2 VOLUNTEERING MATTERS ISSUE 13 ISSUE 13 VOLUNTEERING MATTERS 3 GMP MUSEUM RECORD HIGH VISITORS BUILDING LOYALTY THROUGHOUT The Museum was founded in 1981. Together, they bring a wealth of It not only collects and preserves experience, skill and expertise. There THE VOLUNTEER LIFE CYCLE archive material and objects relating are various volunteer roles such by Susan J. Ellis, President of Energize, Inc • Training useful to the role and good instructions to the history of policing in the as visitor experience; learning and I’ve often said that volunteer • All volunteers seen as “trainees” at the start Greater Manchester area, but acts as collection care and museum guides “retention” is not a task, it’s an outcome. Volunteers evolve • The importance of the volunteer’s first day an important resource for community often wear period uniform. commitment and remain enthusiastic • And also of day 2 (when questions still remain) engagement, where visitors can in stages, as they progress through what might be called the “volunteer talk to staff and volunteers about life cycle.” At each stage, what you do and say - policing. and how volunteers feel - matters a lot! Novice > KNowiNG THE ROPES Here’s a brief summary of how someone moves • Good performance is reinforced from being a stranger to your organization through becoming a volunteer and then from being • Problems get attention early a newbie to a seasoned veteran. Consider how • Importance/impact of the effort is reported the messages you send in word and deed create a welcoming environment (or not) at every stage. • Recognition is genuine and ongoing STRANGER > POSSIBLE RecruiT • Communication is open, honest, and two-way • What your recruitment message says...and how? EXPERIENCED VoluNTEER • Whether you tell the truth about what you want Are long-time volunteers happy? Getting bored? and expect Getting burned out? For the last two years visitor figures GMP would like to say a massive • If the invitation to serve seems to welcome Recognise that more volunteers leave because have been steadily growing at the individual talents thank you to all the volunteers they are under-utilised than because they are museum, the social media presence overworked! At least being overworked means supporting the museum, has grown and the museum currently they are needed. acknowledging that without them the CANDIDATE > ApplicaNT stands as the third museum in Experienced volunteers can choose to: museum wouldn’t be the success it is. • Speed of response to initial inquiry Manchester on TripAdvisor and • Stay in place - but they might appreciate a number 9 in terms of general • Depth and tone of the interview change of pace, such as a short-term special project or even a leave of absence attractions in Manchester. • Move on/up to a different role in the The museum volunteers play a vital ACCEPTED VoluNTEER > BEING ORIENTED/ organisation INDUCTED role in supporting museum staff • Leave and ensuring that the services they • How you communicate the volunteer’s acceptance into your organisation? provide go from strength to strength. “AlumNI” The team consists of retired staff/ • Reinforcing expectations during orientation officers from local police forces as Even someone who stops volunteering with you well as university students and recent can still remain a supporter (if you offer that PlaceD IN ASSIGNMENT > STARTING OUT chance and keep in touch). Alumni volunteers can graduates who are or have studied even come back to service or help out in short-term related subjects such as criminology, • Staff or volunteer supervisor/buddy is roles - again, if you keep communication open and prepared to coach and support the newcomer ask. museum studies, history and PGCEs. 4 VOLUNTEERING MATTERS ISSUE 13 ISSUE 13 VOLUNTEERING MATTERS 5 status and have become recognised PARISH PRIEST OF WEST YORKSHIRE as Police Support Volunteers and so now I find myself wearing two different WITH THREE VOLUNTEERING ROLES hats, that of Chaplain and Musician. As time has gone on whilst supporting Paul replied: ‘Everything has been a West Yorkshire Police as a Chaplain the natural progression from when I joined opportunity arose to become warranted at the age of 19. I joined the force as a Special Constable and this allows band shortly after attesting and I have me to have greater interaction with played with the band since 1991. both the staff and the wider community, When I left the Police to become a helping to build bridges between the Church of England Priest I continued two. I would actually say that I have to play in the band. Having been part had more pastoral conversations of the extended policing family for all since being warranted for the second of my working life, and knowing the time than when compared to being a culture of the organisation, it seemed volunteer chaplain. Once warranted only natural that once I was ordained I was overjoyed to be offered the I should become one of the voluntary opportunity to be part of the Safer Force Chaplains too.