One of the specific priorities for the GMP Wellbeing Team for 2022 was to undertake a wellbeing tour of the force and to continue promoting the support available to staff both internally externally.
Building on the success of the 2021 tour we wanted to ensure this year we:
- Engaged with more staff and officers than last year.
- Encouraged more individuals to apply to join the wellbeing network.
The ten day event, supported by numerous departments and partner agencies, started on the 16th of May in Bury and after the rain stopped we had steady influx of people throughout the day which was great.
Day two we visited Rochdale, alongside partners and volunteers we spoke to 83 people about the support available to them, and held a few private one to one sessions for individuals who required more in-depth support.
Oldham was our stop on day three, the enquires we received set the tone for the rest of the tour with advice and support around the menopause being the most popular topic. We handed out lots of information promoting the menopause app – Balance and signposted to our menopause ambassadors across the force.
Day four we were at Tameside. The local wellbeing committee arranged for extra stall holders including a cake stall and holistic therapies introducing reiki and the power of magnetism. GMPs State 6 CrossFit group ran a session, lots of people joined in and the group were proud to show their support for prevent breast cancer by wearing pink tutus!
Stockport was our base on day five. It was a great way to round up week one, with a staggering 145 people coming to have a chat with us. Free brews were offered by Stockport Sports and Social and it was so lovely to see so many people interacting and talking to all our partners and volunteers.
Week two started with a visit to CoM North the weather was dreadful but we still had a steady flow of visitors coming to see us.
Day seven was much the same with our visit to Stretford being hampered by the weather, still but everyone who crossed our paths took the time to have a chat and a brew including Superintendent Hurst.
On day eight at Pendleton it was great to see so many sergeants coming out to find out more about how we can support them in their roles and how they can support and signpost their teams better.
Whilst in Wigan on day nine we had a few mishaps whilst setting, but after a few giggles and swift manoeuvring of the wellbeing van Chief Superintendent Higham came down to support the day.
We received a warm welcome at Bolton for our final day of the wellbeing roadshow. There was a steady stream of officers and staff coming to visit us over the day and everyone was appreciative of the opportunity to access support information.
We would like to send a huge thank you to everyone who came to see us, supported us and promoted the event. It was a great success with 838 people visiting the van and speaking to us compared to 665 last year.
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