Essex Volunteer Police Cadets 'raring' to get back into action
They had to continue the VPC programme online during the pandemic
Essex Volunteer Police Cadets (VPC) are said to be "raring" to get back into action after a challenging year.
They had to embrace the digital world during the pandemic, so they could stay connected and continue the VPC programme.
Volunteer Police Cadet coordinator, Neil Dibell, said:
"Normally, our cadets get involved in community engagement events, working with their local Community Policing Team around crime prevention advice, and raising money for local charities.
"But this has not been possible for the past 14 months.
"However, despite the restrictions, leaders have put in a lot of hard work in to keep our cadets engaged, continue their education and provide them with varied experiences, both in the world of policing and beyond.
"As well as arranging relevant policing inputs, leaders also came up with new, fun and innovative ideas to keep their cadets interested, from quizzes and bingo to online cook-a-thons.
"Their enthusiasm has remained undiminished and, this National Volunteers Week, I would like to thank all our cadets and their leaders for the enormous amount of effort they have put in this year to volunteer as much as they can and ensure their units are in great shape when they fully start up again."
There are 13 Volunteer Police Cadet Units across Essex and, although the 180 cadets have not been able to volunteer as much as usual, Harwich cadets and their families gave up part of their Christmas Day to make sure lonely and vulnerable members of their community received a meal and a gift bag.
Each cadet wrote a letter and a Christmas card and popped them into a bag with a cracker and a gift donated by Craig Newnes, managing director of CGN restaurants, who also sponsors the Harwich Cadet Unit.
On Christmas Day, the cadets, their parents and other volunteers delivered the gift bags and meals cooked by North Essex Support Team to 35 people in the area.
And, as Colchester Zoo started to prepare for its reopening, the local VPC Unit volunteered to help.
It was the first time the cadets had been able to meet in person for more than a year and they hope it is just the first of many volunteering opportunities they are able to undertake this year.
Neil continued:
"As restrictions continue to ease we are returning our 13 units back to face-to-face meetings and the leaders are looking forward to being able to continue the cadet programme while the cadets are looking forward to being visible at community events again.
"We are looking for new leaders to join our existing unit leadership teams across the county.
"As a VPC leader you will be involved in exciting projects within your community and you can develop yourself to lead, inspire and develop the young people of Essex."
Clacton VPC Unit lead Nikki Doubleday said volunteering as an adult leader has benefited her, as well as the cadets:
"The VPC scheme helps cadets develop into fine young people, who are equipped through learning to do the right thing and take ownership.
"And it also helps the adult volunteers to develop and learn new skills, while in a safe learning environment and while having some fun.
"I am so proud of the cadets in both units I have served.
"Some of them have had to overcome struggles and battles but they are good people who are a great benefit to their communities."
Anybody who is interested in joining the VPC scheme, either as a volunteer leader or a cadet, can register their interest online.