The experience brought a novice colleague of his to tears.
He would later move to Adelaide for a role with South Australia Police Force where he says life is much slower and ‘even the people he arrests are pleasant’.
‘They must see and deal with so many awful situations.’
Bristol-based Laura joined the Police Care UK volunteer team in September last year, having responded to a social media post looking for new Community Ambassadors.
The 61-year-old is a former psychiatric nurse and in between yoga, Pilates, walking and cooking, she also works with the witness service at Bristol Crown Court.
And while Laura may have a more personal reason to be supporting us, it’s her appreciation of the challenges police face on the frontline that persuaded her to get involved.
“It is such a difficult job. The range of people you are dealing with and the range of difficult situations, as well as the management of tricky people, too,” she says.
“They must see and deal with so many awful situations – more than any normal person will see in their lives – and they just get on with it.
“Some people just say it’s just their job, deal with it. That’s just an awful attitude to have because they are human, too.”
‘Everyone at Police Care UK is welcoming and friendly.’
With a mother whose job was to train police recruits at college, Laura had wanted to join the force as a youngster but discovered she was too short to join.
And having manned an awareness stand at a Gloucestershire Police Christmas Fayre, she is only too pleased to have the chance to support police later in life.
“I do like to make the most of my time. I had a very bad asthma attack in 2019 and it reminded me that I needed to make the most of life and do things that are worthwhile,” she adds.
“As a former psychiatric nurse, I have an interest in mental health and still want to have purpose in my life. Volunteering for Police Care UK fits well.
“Everyone I’ve dealt with at Police Care UK is really nice, so welcoming and friendly, and it’s been a great experience.”
From fundraising to speaking at awareness events, we have volunteer roles to suit everyone – and with 91% of beneficiaries saying life is better after our support, your time really can change lives.
If you’ve been inspired to follow in Laura’s footsteps and volunteer for Police Care UK, click here.
