Page 25 - Top Cover Issue 18

SUMMER 2023 TOP COVER 25

operational officers to support and bush-craft instructor and Constabularies, our peer support
police, fire, ambulance, and paddle sport instructor. programme – called ‘Rewilding’
lifeboats with amazing success. I am currently planning to get – will make a big difference to
12 Norfolk and Suffolk officers the people who need help, and
Bridge the gap trained as instructors with the help to encourage discussions about
I was really inspired by Surfwell, of Adam and a good friend Simon emotional and mental wellbeing.
so started looking for ideas McKinna who runs wellbeing With the impact of the project,
to implement a similar peer- programs for Aviva. I’m certain we will be able to
driven programme in my force. My research around mental and emotional
are available to provide support “ wellbeing has pointed me towards getting
Its aims would be to bridge the
gap between officers and staff
needing help and to identify
resources and organisations that
officers and staff out in nature, offering peer
and help where needed. support while learning new skills to guide them
In Norfolk and Suffolk police towards mindfulness
we don’t have anything like this;
I felt there was still an outdated My research around mental and encourage other forces to take
attitude of negativity and stigma emotional wellbeing has pointed it on and assist them in the
around mental health within
me towards getting officers and implementation, helping as
policing. Staff felt that by raising staff out in nature, offering peer many people as we can. It’s an
an issue around mental health it support while learning new inexpensive, simple solution to
would automatically lead to being
skills to guide them towards bring people back to nature,
moved, changing role and in turn mindfulness, giving them time reduce stress at work and improve
losing contact with colleagues. and space to reflect. everyone’s lives.
The risk of asking for help is that
I have been working closely with I am so grateful to Mick at
you’ll lose your ability to do your
Professor Renos Papadopoulous, the PFOA for the support and
day-to-day job, just as I had. Director of Trauma Studies at the assistance I’ve received, it has
I felt that there was a place
University of Essex and United had such a profound effect on
for a practical programme Nations advisor on trauma, to put my family and my life and
that would encourage peer together a trauma-aware training given me the ability to provide
support and make talking
package for instructors. He is support for others. If you would
about wellbeing an assisting us in providing follow-up like more information about
accepted practice. I
support, and the development ‘Rewilding’ or think you can
have a good friend,
and planning of the programme. offer support please email me:
Adam Williams, I’m confident that, with the Kevin.Borrett@norfolk.police.uk
who is a lecturer backing of Norfolk and Suffolk
at Easton College
Norfolk where he
runs the Outdoor
Leadership Course.
He offered to help me get
something up and running to
support police officers and staff.
Adam shared a moving story with
me and wanted to help.
I then arranged a meeting
between Emma from wellbeing
and Adam to show her the
possibilities; her response was
that such a programme would be
groundbreaking. Adam offered to
train me up as an outdoor pursuits

WWW.PFOA.CO.UK