August 2010 Update
In the past month (August) the PFOA has continued to support members from all over the UK and their families. We have assisted members with serious health and welfare problems. Its not just following a shooting that a member needs support, its everyday policing duties and indeed life that can lead to distress and hardship. We have already assisted in getting members back to work sooner and avoiding waiting time for force occupational health departments, thus benefiting our members, their families, the force and the public. . Below are examples of support we have provided in August and messages of thanks received. Please note for privacy reasons no names or forces are mentioned in some cases.
‘ I would like to thank the PFOA for the recent assistance you have given me. I had been experiencing serious welfare problems, and as such removed myself from Operational duty. I contacted my force Occupational Health to seek counselling assistance. I was informed that I could have an appointment in 5 weeks! This in effect meant I would be off ops for all this time plus however long the counselling would take. I contacted the PFOA and incredibly within 2 days I was speaking to ‘Maria’ one of their trained counsellors. After 5 sessions, and a report by Maria to my Superintendent I am back on ops and enjoying my work. Thank you for all your help’
The PFOA recently attended the Suffolk Police Firearms Unit family day. This day was a total success, and as a result many of the officers have joined the PFOA. We also made a £150 contribution to assist with childrens entertainment and refreshments.
We have assisted an officer and his family following a recent diagnosis for an illness:
I wanted to show my gratitude to the PFOA for their speedy and
considerate generosity. I joined to support fellow AFOs not thinking
that I would be a beneficiary of this Association myself. After
suffering 2 separate hospital admissions with paralysis, which could not
be diagnosed, the PFOA paid £300 for me to see a private specialist, months
sooner than I would have had to wait on the NHS. This enabled a
diagnosis and treatment program to be initiated. Not only that but whilst
I continued to be laid up with the genetic disease the PFOA enabled my
wife and 4 children to go to Chessington World of Adventures with spending money. Thank- you so much for everything and also for Mark Williams supportive help and suggestions for my career, which has now been effected due to this diagnosis.
Kindest regards
We have assisted another officer who was seriously ill. He is married with three young children:
Mark,
When you told me on the phone you were going to send a cheque from the PFOA I could have sobbed.
This is fantastic and very much appreciated. The support from this department and especially from you & the PFOA is just second to none (Nulli Secundus) and extremely over whelming.
I suppose we take it for granted until we are faced with a problem. I really honestly believe we would not get this aftercare anywhere else.
Once again thank you so much for everything.
We have assisted a member and his family following his diagnosis with cancer.
We have provided Paradigmatic Coaching for an officer with stress.
We have sent an officers family on a respite break.
We have supported officers on a sponsored walk (report to follow!)