PSYV guest blog: Helping communities through the festive season

This festive season Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (PSYV) in Lanarkshire have been working with local charities to provide essential food items to vulnerable people.

The PSYV programme develops strong relationships between the police and young people by breaking down barriers and encouraging young people to be positive role models within their communities.

Police Constable Martin Sweeney the PSYV Coordinator for Cumbernauld, Shotts and Hamilton tells us more about the appeal:

“Lanarkshire PSYV decided this year to undertake a ‘Reverse Advent Calendar’ festive appeal in support of local charities across our area.  The charities selected were food poverty action group Paul’s Parcels in Shotts, Hamilton & District Foodbank and Freedom City Church, Cumbernauld which houses the Cumbernauld Foodbank.  

 The theory behind the reverse calendar was that instead of traditionally taking a daily item (as you would normally do from an advent calendar) you put a small food item away per day from Dec 1 to Dec 18.  

Each charity gave us a shopping list of items they needed and our volunteers aimed to gather these items. Volunteers also added small luxury items given it’s a Christmas appeal, such as mince pies, Christmas puddings and selection boxes.   

This appeal was a well received and supported initiative. It’s was a very worthwhile cause and offered our volunteers a great sense of achievement, particularly at this time when they were able to contribute to the wider Community.”

Read more about the PSYV, including information for anyone interested in becoming a Youth or Adult Volunteer, at Youth Volunteers – Police Scotland.

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