The Community Peer Mentors are part of the Durham Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) Office; for County Durham and Darlington. We have been running for 5 years and our great success has been largely due to our amazing volunteers, as we have actively recruited over 300 people with lived experiences, coordinated by 6 paid members of staff. The Community Peer Mentors helps support the PCC plan; to
inspire confidence in the police and criminal justice system, support victims and the vulnerable. We Aim to:
Support vulnerable and isolated people affected by significant life changing events, being victims of crime, anti-social behaviour, neighbour disputes - Perceived or Real, who through unfulfilled needs become high impact users on frontline statutory and non-statutory frontline services. Reduce the demand on Frontline Policing and other frontline emergency and statutory services. We offer a non-time specific support which is unique and bespoke for every clients; as we believe every persons experience, story, fears and feelings are different, and therefore one size does not fit all. All we ask is that a person has the will, want and capacity to change, they must set goals; however small, they must ‘bring something to the party’; we are not there to just do everything for them. This approach is unique in the UK for tackling these issues. When supporting people we will:
• Be a listening ear
• Help them learn about themselves
• Help by establishing trust
• Provide new skills and confidence to resolve matters amicably
• Signpost to other services if appropriate
• Support forming new friendships, interests or hobbies
• Robustly challenge inappropriate behaviour
• Act as an advocate
Awards
College of Policing: We have been identified by the ‘College of Policing’ as part of their ‘Top 10’ best practises for demand reduction and the unique way we support vulnerable and isolated people; it reflects the difference you as volunteers and coordinates really make to people we support. We have be awarded the:
Durham Constabulary ‘POP’ (Problem Orientated Partnership) award 2017-18
The National ‘Tilley Award’ for problem solving and demand reduction 2019-20
Finalists at the International ‘Goldstein Awards’ for problem solving and demand reduction 2019-20
World Class Policing Awards 2019-2020
We have also received:
Durham Community Action’ kite mark for excellence in supporting volunteers. One of our volunteers received a national award from NEPACS (North Eastern Prison After Care Society) for supporting ex-prisoners
Another volunteer has achieved runner up in the National ‘Lord Ferrer’s Award’ presented by the Home Office for the outstanding Police and Crime Commissioners volunteer.
