Posted on 18 November 2024
Anti-social behaviour, in one form or another, is something that affects every community across the country, and Derbyshire is no exception. However, we are very lucky to have lots of Community Heroes amongst us, who are doing some brilliant work to complement the great work that the police, councils, housing and other partners do, to tackle the problem.
As part of Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week 2024, we are celebrating the Community Heroes across Derby and Derbyshire. Here are a few examples:
Infinite Wellbeing in Heanor and Langley Mill
Rebecca Patrick established Infinite Wellbeing as a community interest company, in December 2020. Initially, they were delivering a mindfulness and wellbeing programme to improve wellbeing for children and adults, by operating in schools and community buildings.
In 2023, Rebecca secured a 5-year lease for the Infinite Wellbeing Community Centre in Heanor, where they now run youth activities to reduce anti-social behaviour in the area. These include drop-in sessions, a safe space for young people to be together, a youth café and additional sessions in school holidays.
Rebecca and the team are passionate about advocating for young people and allowing them to be heard. When they first opened the centre, they experienced some anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, but, over time, they have earned the trust and respect of many of those young people who now use the centre. Some of the young people now volunteer at the centre and are training to be peer mentors.
Infinite Wellbeing also offer a community café, play area, children’s activity sessions, support groups, holiday clubs, social activities, intergenerational activities, after school clubs, fitness sessions, community events (such as car boots, craft fairs, fundraising events, comedy nights), children’s parties, family friendly cinema, holistic therapies and rooms are available for hire by community groups.
In response to an increase in anti-social behaviour in the wider area, Rebecca has extended the reach of Infinite Wellbeing’s services by leasing new premises in Langley Mill. This facility now hosts a comprehensive youth provision and Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) program, catering for both primary and secondary-aged children and young people. They also offer access to various courses and qualifications, as part of the alternative provision programme, which aims to engage and support young people, offering them valuable skills and opportunities for their future.
Since February 2024, Infinite Wellbeing Community Centre has also been a placement for Immediate Justice, to enable those involved in anti-social behaviour the opportunity to repair the harm caused to their communities.
More about the community activities on offer is available on from Infinite Wellbeing. If you are interested in being a volunteer and supporting the project, email info@infinite-wellbeing.co.uk
Glow Youth Club in Holmesfield
Sarah Webb was nominated by PCSO Jonathan Flowers for her work in setting up and running a youth club in Holmesfield. The Glow! Youth Club has run for 3 years at St Swithin’s Church, Holmesfield, with between 15 and 25 young people attending the sessions each week. The club offers a safe space for children to socialise and learn new skills.
Supporting Our Communities
David Walsh and Supporting Communities have been recognised as Community Heroes for creating a youth provision around Derbyshire with their Mobile Youth Bus. They park up at various locations each evening, offering young people a safe space where they can meet and get support when they need it. Supporting Communities also offer a mentoring scheme and family support.
Intergenerational work in Repton
Margaret Garner was nominated by PCSO Marley for her work in the community. Margaret is a well-known local figure who is often out and about helping other people. This includes volunteering at the local youth group in Repton, where she talks to young people and teaches them skills such as knitting.
Zink
The Immediate Justice Scheme is delivered in Derbyshire by Remedi. The scheme provides those involved in anti-social behaviour the opportunity to repair the harm caused to their communities by taking part in reparative activities, such as community clean ups, gardening, working in charity shops and foodbanks or directly repairing the harm caused, such as painting over graffiti.
Zink has been a placement for Immediate Justice since September 2023, helping to facilitate reparation with Immediate Justice service users in the High Peak area. The service users, along with Zink caseworkers, have helped within their Eco Cafe, food bank, general cleaning and setting up and delivering leaflets/posters.
Zink is a real hub of the community, providing a vital service in the Buxton area. They have a food bank, a café and they run community events, advice sessions, wellbeing sessions, employment sessions.
Holme Hall Unite Community Garden/Hub
Holme Hall Unite have been a placement for Immediate Justice since March 2024, helping to facilitate reparation with Remedi service users in the Chesterfield area. The service users, along with Holme Hall Unite caseworkers, have been helping out in their community garden; weeding/tidying/planting/clearing, helping to make the garden a place for the community. More information about what the group are doing is available from Holme Hall Unite.
Hunloke Community Garden
Hunloke Community Garden in Chesterfield has been a placement for Immediate Justice since September 2023. They have been providing Remedi service users a chance to give back to the community, by helping in their community garden. Service users, along with their caseworkers, have been helping with weeding/tidying/planting/general garden maintenance, to help keep the garden a great place for the community. The Hunloke Community Garden Facebook page has more information.
Do you want to be a Community Hero?
Here are some ideas about you can get involved in your local community, as part of the effort to reduce anti-social behaviour:
Litter picking
There are lots of groups in Derbyshire, helping to keep Derbyshire tidy. Here are just a few:-
If you want to do some litter picking in your local community, contact your local council and they will be able to advise you how to do it safely.
Youth activities
If you’d like to start some youth activities in your area, contact your local Community Safety Officer, who is based at your local council, and they will be able to support and advise you on how you might go about it.
Derbyshire Constabulary
If you have some time to spare in your busy life, would like to help your local community and are interested in a career with the police, the Special Constabulary is the ideal place for you. Special Constables are dedicated individuals who, after a hard day at work in their regular job, still have the enthusiasm and drive it takes to devote some of their free time to help others. Find out more about Derbyshire Police Special Constables.
If being a Special Constable isn’t for you, there are other ways you can work alongside police officers, PCSOs, special constables and police staff to protect the public and cut down crime. Police Support Volunteers bring a wide range of skills and experience that add huge value to the work of trained police officers and staff. Find out more on the Derbyshire Police Support Volunteers.
Community Speed Watch is a national initiative run by volunteers in communities where speeding and road safety is of concern. There are nearly 100 schemes across Derbyshire and, whilst they are not taking on any new schemes at the moment, you can get involved by to joining one of the existing schemes. Contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team or contact the Community Speed Watch team by emailing admincsw@derbyshire.police.uk
Volunteer Police Cadets engage with young people, aged between 10 and 18, in Glossop, Chesterfield, Ripley and Derby. The Cadets take part in weekly meetings where they learn about the law and the UK police service. There are classroom- based sessions, team building exercises, visits to local and national events, as well as patrols with the Safer Neighbourhood Teams. These can all contribute towards their Duke of Edinburgh awards. The Volunteer Police Cadet programme could not run without the amazing volunteers and they are always looking for more Volunteer Police Cadet Leaders. If you have the time to spare, or know someone who does, complete a police cadet leader application.
Neighbourhood Watch
Derbyshire Neighbourhood Watch is a community-based program that aims to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, improve safety and communication in local neighbourhoods to create more connected communities.
It is a voluntary initiative and getting involved is easy! Contact Derbyshire Neighbourhood Watch and they will give you information and support to become an active member or start a new Neighbourhood Watch in your area.
Telephone: 0300 122 8526 (offices are open on Tuesday and Wednesday) or email hello@derbyshireneighbourhoodwatch.co.uk.
By joining Derbyshire Neighbourhood Watch, you can help create a safer and more secure community for everyone.
Funding opportunities
If you’re inspired to get involved and help improve your community, you might need some funding. Here are a few sources of funding to help get you started:
General volunteering
If you're thinking of giving some of your time to get more involved in your community, Derbyshire County Council's Derbyshire Directory has a list of local organisations looking for volunteers.
Your local Council for Voluntary Services (CVS) also provides information and advice about volunteering.