Graduate Project Officer, Community Justice Glasgow
SARAH SCHOFIELD
Police Scotland
Police Scotland Youth Volunteers is a Police-led early intervention approach to youth inclusion and engagement. It is focused on young people aged 13-18, promoting good citizenship and positive role models through developing new skills, building self-esteem and improving self-confidence by volunteering within the communities of Scotland.
Greater Glasgow’s Police Scotland Youth Volunteers is the biggest and most successful of its kind across Scotland. It currently has 6 groups representing communities throughout Glasgow.
The youth volunteers have recently embarked on a new SCQF accredited Police Scotland Youth Volunteer Award to enhance their qualifications and have the commitment they have shown to their communities recognised. The award runs alongside the young people’s volunteering journey fully supported and mentored by Police Scotland.
Greater Glasgow PSYV works closely with campus school police officers and partners to identify young people who would benefit from being part of PSYV to help guide, support or steer them towards positive pathways through providing them with a vast range of volunteering opportunities.
To read more on Campus Officers CLICK THE LINKS ON FIGURES 1 & 2 BELOW:
Figure 1 – Glasgow Evening Times Article – 18th January 2020
Figure 2 – Glasgow Evening Times Article – 5th June 2019
2020 got off to a great start for Glasgow Police Scotland Youth Volunteers with a range of diverse and exciting events planned for the forthcoming year. The pandemic quashed all the eagerly anticipated events the young people were looking forward to volunteering at. Like everyone, the young people were struggling to adapt to restrictions placed by Covid – they reported lower motivation due to being unable to volunteer their time, particularly when communities were most in need.
Upon shifting to an online delivery model, the young people who work with us have been involved in sessions with the British Red Cross, the Crimestoppers anti-violence campaign Fearless, gambling awareness, and even information on wildlife conservation provided by Scottish Badgers! One project in particular took aim at promoting the mental health & wellbeing of the young people who work with us; an allotment plot delivered in partnership with Glasgow City Council. This allowed our young people to meet up safely, while educating them on green spaces and food growth. Sandy Paterson, Glasgow City Council’s liaison for allotments, spoke of his optimism on the potential of this new partnership, both for the young people who have been involved and the growing culture of sustainability and food education:
The Food Growing Team at GCC were delighted to welcome Glasgow PSYV as plot-holders at Bellahouston Demonstration Garden earlier in 2020 after their welcome contribution to Oatlands Gate Allotments. We trust that the plot will allow the young people to become further engaged with their environment and the benefits gained from outdoor activities and accessing healthy locally grown produce. The Demonstration Garden supports a variety of specific needs groups in a safe and secure setting and we believe the welcome addition of some enthusiastic young people will only enhance the garden further. We look forward to the loosening of restrictions in 2021 so PSYV can have another “fruitful” year.
Before
During
After
Youth volunteer, Ben Adleigh, commented:
“Joining PSYV has made me a better person and helped me aim for big challenges in life as I love a challenge. There are many positive aspects of PSYV, it has helped me stay focused, stay away from crime, helped me control my temper and rise above any trouble I may come across. It has also given me the chance to take on leadership roles.”
Moving forward Greater Glasgow PSYV will make steps to recover from the pandemic and increase their numbers from the current 50 to the maximum 144, with an aim to restarting face-to-face meetings while continuing their fantastic partnership work in the community of Glasgow.
