A new safety project is underway to boost resilience in rural communities and help farmers to protect their livelihoods and mental health.
As part of her commitment to supporting rural communities, Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts provided funding worth £5k from her Safer and Stronger Communities Fund to The Farming Life Centre in Bakewell to deliver the Safe and Sound project across the High Peak area.
The investment will see a series of practical workshops, public awareness campaigns and peer-led support initiatives focusing on security audits, livestock protection, firearms awareness and mental health championing to strengthen the safety, wellbeing and resilience of farmers and residents.
So far, 200 leaflets about the scheme have been printed and are in the process of being distributed at local agricultural markets, community meeting places and through the organisation’s website.
Meanwhile, a social media campaign is underway promoting rural safety messaging alongside targeted email communications to farming networks.
Project leaders are also talking directly with farmers and residents to understand their personal experiences and concerns about agricultural crime, hosting group discussions on key issues such as livestock worrying and agricultural theft.
Furthermore, five long-serving Farming Life Centre supporters have undertaken mental health champion training to recognise the signs of stress and poor mental health among their peers to enable them to guide these individuals towards professional emotional help.
Rural crime remains a priority for the public and the PCC has ensured the issue is reflected throughout her Police and Crime Plan priorities.
Police and Crime Commissioner Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts said: “The first phase of this exciting project is well underway and is already building trust with farmers and strengthening relationships within communities in the High Peak.
“We know that engagement is an effective crime prevention strategy. The more we can help rural residents and farmers to connect to one another and the police, the more resilient and stronger our communities will become. These relationships are also important to increasing the flow of intelligence into the force and ensuring action is taking against the issues impacting on people’s daily lives.
“Crime has a devastating toll on mental health and emotional wellbeing. I am grateful to the residents and farmers who have already shared their lived experiences to help shape this valuable project for the future safety of their communities. I look forward to watching it progress.”
Feedback gathered during engagement with farmers and rural residents has directly contributed to the planning and design of future workshops and support activity to ensure the project is grounded in real issues.
The PCC has set aside significant funding from her budget to support local projects that positively address the priority areas outlined in her new Police and Crime Plan and aim to make the county safer and stronger.
The Safer and Stronger Communities Fund empowers community-focused organisations that share her passion for helping people to thrive to apply for a grant of up to £5k in a series of rounds held throughout the financial year.
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