NEWS


SOWING THE SEEDS FOR WELLBEING IN NEW GARDEN


Officers in Gwent will soon be able to take some time out from the pressures of their role at a new wellbeing garden being created by their Federation branch.


T


he branch has a garden area at the back of its offices in New Inn near Pontypool and over the last few


months its officials, ably assisted by family members, have started work transforming it into a peaceful and calming haven. “Many of the officers we come into


contact with are under pressure, perhaps due to a conduct investigation or other issue at work,” says Annalea Kift, branch secretary, “But since the pandemic, we are seeing more and more officers who are struggling with their mental health and general wellbeing. “The new wellbeing garden will give them somewhere to go that is a little more relaxing when coming to talk to us or their local reps.”


One of the first additions to the


garden was a beehive from The Bee Initiative. Originally set up in in 2013, The Bee Initiative is dedicated to the conservation of honey bees, educating the community and having honey beehives in the community. There are now more than 90 community hives, supported by 20 volunteers. Gwent Police Federation already gives


small gifts to those on long-term sick leave or officers injured on duty and has plans to include products from The Bee Initiative, including cards incorporating wildflower seeds, in these in future, hopefully along with honey produced by the bees from its hive. The garden will also have a pond, raised beds and several seating areas, which have been created by Annalea,


her husband, Mark, and 12-year-old stepdaughter Olivia, and branch conduct and wellbeing lead Danielle Threader, ably assisted by her daughter, Emily who is five.


New fencing has been put up and


Mark dug concrete footings before constructing and putting up a gazebo securing the polycarbonate roof, with some help in the final stages from branch chair Steve Thorpe. The gazebo will ensure there is a


covered area where people can meet. There are also plans for a greenhouse that will be made from decommissioned Force PSU shields. “We want officers to come to visit


the Federation and the garden, and not only when they are in trouble or struggling with something,” says Danielle, “Ultimately, our office - Federation House - is for the members and they should make use of it. “It’s all aimed at being very


environmentally friendly, with water butts, meadow turf, the bees, frogs and other pond-life, but we also want it to be very officer friendly too. Our door is always open – and now the garden gate will be too.”


Support for the initiative has come


from a number of local businesses which have agreed to donate items to the garden in the future. Gwent was one of the first Federation


branches to have a full-time official focussed on wellbeing, with Annalea becoming the first incumbent of the role in June last year. Danielle took over the post earlier this year when Annalea became branch secretary. “With the work that Annalea had


Raised beds have been planted out


started, I was able to hit the ground running really and have further developed the role. For example, recently I attended court with an officer who had been the victim of a horrific assault and getting a message of thanks from them afterwards just meant the world. But I also have other plans too as I want to ensure that we really do all we can to support officer wellbeing,” said Danielle. “Members have been under huge pressure during the pandemic and that


Installing the bee hives


Creating a buzz


just makes it even more important for us to ensure that we are doing all we can to support their wellbeing.” Both Annalea and Danielle are


grateful to the Force for accepting the business case for the position which was originally put forward by Nicky Ryan, the former branch secretary who is now the Federation’s Welsh Affairs lead.


The covered seating area 41 I POLICE I OCTOBER 2021


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