Page 39 - Top Cover Issue 8

TOP COVER ISSUE 8 39

to be able to run a course in Faslane naval base to give Scotland range of issues and also helped countless officers with specific
its first coaches. issues around shooting or fitness.
We had four MDP officers arrive on day one with the same All of these people had to make the same choice: to simply
slightly bemused look that both Ian and I had when we first ask for help.
started. What they didn’t lack though was enthusiasm and because The PFOA is now in a fantastic position of having some
of that the next three days were both enjoyable and enlightening. extremely well trained, very dedicated, compassionate people
It was also amazing to meet numerous MDP officers who never who are there to help. Access to the coaches is through your force
failed to make us feel welcome, even taking us out on the police coordinator or the office, who will assess the individual need and
launch. Their dedication to keeping the area safe was clear to see. then allocate the best coach.
In January we arranged to take Ali to another exotic location. Ask yourself one question: if you had an £80,000 car and the
This time we took him to the Defence Academy at Shrivenham engine management light came on indicating there is a problem,
with the first snow of the year falling. what would you do? Would you simply ignore it and let that
For this course we had a great mix of MDP, Herts, Cambs and expensive car fall apart? Would you take it to be looked at early
Notts officers as well as our first three ladies who will staff the new to prevent it getting worse and harder to fix? We are unable to
support phone line. put a value on us as individuals, so why take the risk of leaving
Teaching the coaches amongst tanks, attack helicopters and your engine management light to carry on flashing without
missiles also provided an amazing new backdrop for all of us, as getting it fixed?
well as making a few military commanders look rather surprised Sometimes we can’t change things but we can change the way
as they wandered past. we think about them or deal with them. The coaches are their to
Yet again by the end of the course we had gained another nine help people do just that.
incredible people able to help members in more locations than Having read Ali Campbell’s book ‘Just get on with it!’ he
ever before. quotes Niebuhr who says: “God grant me the serenity to accept
Simply because of the methods used in coaching we were the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I
treated to a completely different experience on both courses. can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Every person gained new insight into the way they behave and Thanks to Ali, Ian and all of the coaches the PFOA will be
many managed to deal with real issues. there to help people do just
This was only possible on both courses because the people that ■
that gave up their own time to attend did so with such passion
and determination.
As a result of the work put in by Ali and the team we now
have a greater spread of coaches who can assist in so many
different ways.

SO WHAT CAN THESE MYTHICAL COACHES
ACTUALLY DO?
During the last two years the coaches have managed to get
people back to work who have been suffering from stress or
trauma. We have helped people with confidence when returning
from illness or injury, helped family members deal with a wide