Update from ROC D&C Team - May 2012
Dear ROC Supporter
For those that don’t know me, my name is Roger Bartlett and I am a Police Inspector from North Devon. Following on from the fantastic Devon and Cornwall ROC launch at Plymouth Pavilions in October 2011, I have been appointed as the regional co-ordinator for ROC D&C. It has been about 6 months since that event and therefore a good time to provide you with an update on developments locally, which I hope will encourage you and inspire you to get involved.
The co-ordination group was formed and meets with the aim of ‘building on the momentum of the launch and co-ordinating development and promotion of ROC projects across D&C’. Membership of the group includes representatives from Cornwall, Plymouth, Torbay, Exeter and other parts of Devon and has the involvement of other agencies. In March, we held a regional Ambassadors Conference at The Future’s Inn, Plymouth attended by more than 40 people. There another 11 ambassadors were signed up bringing the total number across the two counties to 52 which is a great start.
We recognise that some of you may still not be absolutely clear about the role of an ambassador. To provide some clarity, we believe there are three distinct types:
1. A church ROC ambassador – ROC works with all people of good will, but there is a recognition that churches provide links to a large number of those people. A church ambassador would promote the work of ROC to the leadership and other members and encourage involvement.
2. An agency ROC ambassador – who seeks to promote the work of ROC within their agency and encourage involvement.
3. A town / community ROC ambassador – who makes links with public agencies and other ambassadors (an indeed seeks to recruit other ambassadors) to facilitate relationships within communities to explore opportunities.
If you have signed up as an ambassador, or would like to, please could you email ctiplymouth@gmail.com and confirm what type of ambassador you would like to be and which church / agency / area you are involved in.
The co-ordination group is currently compiling a comprehensive list of endorsements from Community, Public Agency and Church leaders to help enable participation. If you know of such a person who would be willing to support the work of ROC, please let us know. Discussion both at local level and at regional level continue between members of the regional group and Police, Fire, Probation, Health and others to develop projects/ work. Here is a flavour of some of the activities happening across the two counties:
In Cornwall - Bishop Tim Thornton of Truro circulated a letter to all Anglican churches in Cornwall encouraging them to respond to an offer from Probation to provide opportunities for Community Payback teams to contribute to local projects linked to the church – such as building projects. Probation, have been really pleased with the response.
In Plymouth – A ROC Café opened in St Judes on 26th April supported by police and other agencies. Fire, Police & Health services are developing a project called ‘Safer & Healthier Homes’ which involves training church volunteers to visit homes of vulnerable people to facilitate access to support services where it is needed. They are also offering to provide training to voluntary groups, such as churches, that hold groups for older people, to deliver ‘Memory clinics’ to help slow the effects of dementia. Churches are being encouraged to adopt a residential care home to provide pastoral support residents and staff. Derriford A&E dept are looking to explore using youth leaders to support young people admitted with alcohol abuse.
In Torbay – They have held an event for those interested in supporting offenders to enable them to remain crime free. A project called ‘ROC Steady’ is developing with training in May secured for volunteers under the Community Chaplaincy scheme (www.swcc-pi.org). Local police officer PC Tracey Sharam is linking with Upton Vale Baptiast church as part of an initiative to deal with those living on the streets. ROC Café opened on 22nd March on the Great Parks Estate run by Riveria Life church with £1000 donated by the Mayor and a £3300 grant from Child Poverty fund.
In Exeter - local Police management team are supporting a ROC Exeter Launch for 21st June which is hoping to be held in the Cathedral.
In Ivybridge – ROC has supported the launch of Street Pastors and in Torrington, a ROC Conversations event was held on 24th April with 40 attending to talk about youth and community facilities. Plans are progressing towards a ROC Community Centre.
Ways you can be involved:
• If you would like to become and ambassador, please sign up here.
• If you are an ambassador, please seek out those opportunities to promote the work of ROC in your church / agency / area. You could start by sending on this update to anyone that you know may be interested.
• In addition, the Co-ordinating Group need volunteers with particular expertise in marketing / finance to help us develop our work.
Exactly 12 months after the launch on Saturday 20th October 2012, there WILL be a ROC launch +1 event aimed at showcasing to those who want to know more about ROC, exactly what is going on. We will keep you posted on our plans, but please put it in the diary.
I hope this update encourages you. Please join with us in seeking to make safer and kinder communities.
Roger Bartlett
ROC Devon and Cornwall
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