The campaign was centred around the beautifully written ‘Red Robber Raid’ children’s story book.
As part of the promotion of the campaign, to coincide with World Book Day in March, police families were give the chance to register to be randomly selected to receive a gift pack which included a hard copy of the Red Robber Raid book, activity packs and a soft toy dog named ‘Oscar’ - all designed to help children understand why their loved ones might sometimes have to miss out on bedtimes, mealtimes or other special occasions.
The entries closed last week and with over 4,700 entries, we’ve seen the real appetite for more support and understanding around this important issue.
750 families will now receive the full gift packs - but we were so overwhelmed with the response, we didn’t want anyone to go away empty handed - so a further 1,000 families have received a hard copy Red Robber Raid book, with all other participants being granted exclusive early access to the beautifully narrated e-book version of the story.
Service Director of Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing Service, Andy Rhodes said;
"We've been moved by the incredible response to our 'Once Upon a Time' campaign It’s clear that our police families are in search of ways to bridge the gaps that policing life can create. This campaign is a key part of our ongoing commitment under the Police Covenant to support these families, helping them to feel less alone and more part of the wider policing family."
CEO of the College of Policing, CC Andy Marsh said:
"This campaign was a heartfelt gesture to show our families we see and appreciate them. The stories we've heard reinforce how vital it is for children to understand why loved ones are absent during important family occasions."
About the 'Once Upon a Time' Campaign
The campaign was inspired by our desire to help policing families explain some of the often-challenging realities of policing work to their children. The 'Once Upon a Time' initiative includes:
- The Red Robber Raid book, a story developed with the help of the Norfolk and Suffolk Constabulary Wellbeing Team, designed to open a window into the sacrifices made by policing families.
- Activity packs and the Oscar, the soft toy dog, which bring the story to life and provide comforting and engaging ways for children to connect with the themes of the book.
- Alignment with World Book Day to emphasize the importance of literacy and shared reading, which is crucial for child development and family bonding.
- It is also supported by the ‘Thank You’ campaign and a number of other resources available in the Family Life section of the Oscar Kilo website all designed to support police families.
Looking to the future
The National Police Wellbeing Service is dedicated to enriching the lives of police families through a variety of programs and resources focused on mental and physical health, nutrition, finance, and more. These resources are continually updated and available through our families' hub.
Andy Rhodes continued;
"While we can't fix every challenge overnight, we are committed to making continuous progress. Our efforts, including future campaigns, will be aimed at providing the understanding and support our police families need to thrive."