Ddyfed Powys Police are piloting a programme aimed at building resilience in front line officers and staff, and are looking for volunteers to take part. This is a new way to help prepare people to cope with the emotional stresses they face not only as part of policing, but in their personal life too.

The bespoke package will first be run for a small group of volunteers and if successful, it will be rolled out to the whole organisation. The package is being jointly developed and delivered by our own Occupational Health department, and Hywel Dda University Health Board. The course will be four hours every week, for four consecutive weeks. In that time there will be a pre and post course evaluation carried out with you.

The findings for this pilot will not only feed into the Calon Leadership and Wellbeing Group to affect change internally, but are also of interest across Wales and beyond. It is hoped this programme could lead to a fundamental change in the way we proactively prepare and build resilience in to our workforce. If you are interested in taking part or knowing more, read on…

What is the background to this initiative?

As part of the All Wales Early Action Together (ACE) Programme, Dyfed-Powys has chosen to adopt a Public Health Approach in the way we pro-actively equip our staff to build or improve their personal resilience. 

What are the objectives of the programme?

It is to provide a bespoke organisational intervention focused on preventative measures with regards to the Psychological Wellbeing of the Force and its employees. The aim is to develop a resilient workforce that are better equipped to deal with the challenges of modern policing.

Who is the target audience?

It is for any DPP employee in an operational or case work role regardless if you are currently receiving support, have received support or have never done so. It is all about building our personal resilience and equipping us to manage our behaviours and emotions now or in the future. 

Who is delivering?

It will be delivered by two professionals in this field of work.  One of which is our own Amy Basset–Van Doorn from Occupational Health together with a colleague from Hywel Dda Local Heath Board. Both are accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapists. 

What is the science behind this programme? 

Emotional or physical trauma can result in vulnerability to intense emotional states. The training programme will be focused on the development of skills to manage emotional vulnerability and increase emotional resilience through a psychoeducational approach incorporating specific skills focused on cognitive, behavioural and emotional responses

When and where is it being delivered?

It will be delivered to two separate cohorts at Police HQ between September and November 2019. Each cohort will be up to 25 persons from different roles across the force and will include 2 participants from partner agencies. 

Cohort 1

  • Friday 20th September
  • Friday 27th September 
  • Friday 4th October
  • Friday 11th October

Cohort 2

  • Friday 25th October
  • Friday 1st November
  • Friday 8th November
  • Friday 15th November
Can I attend some but not all sessions?

Volunteers MUST be able to attend EVERY session in their allocated cohort. This is NOT a drop in and drop out programme as attendance on each session is essential in order for the science around the input to work effectively. Any leave or RD’s can be reallocated in advance locally or through RMU. 

How long is each session?

The content of each day will last around 4 hrs with a free buffet lunch provided in between. The exact timings will be provided closer to the date. The day will be counted as a working day so will hopefully allow plenty of time for those travelling from distance to arrive in time and leave for home within their allocated working hours. 

What is the dress code?

This is meant to be a relaxed environment with no reference to rank or role. As such the dress code is non-uniform. However please remember you will be at police HQ so appearance is suitably presentable, smart, but causal.

How will it be evaluated?

The Early Action Together (Police and Partners ACE Programme) is both funding and evaluating this initiative. Qualified researchers will carry out confidential and anonymised interviews of participants at the start and at the end of the programme. Using a Public Health Approach the evaluation will then provide quantitative and qualitative information which will then influence future discussion and recommendation for scaling up for all employees. 

What do I need to do next?

If you are interested and available to attend every day please contact [email protected] with your preferred cohort (1 or 2 or no preference). Selection will be based on having an appropriate spread of participants from across the 4 BCU’s and HQ departments carrying out operational roles.

Closing dates for expression of interest will be 19th June. Participants will be informed as soon as possible in order for DMS to be amended. 

 
Dyfed Bolton

Prif Arolygydd / Chief Inspector

Tracie McKelvie

Senior Manager Occupational Health