Staffordshire Police Cadets are teaming up with local Lions Clubs in a young leaders’ programme that will see them invest up to 100 hours’ service in their communities.
The Cadet scheme was a key pledge for Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matthew Ellis. It aims to strengthen links between the police and young people and promote good citizenship. Units have already been established in Stafford, Cannock and Stoke-on-Trent with others set to follow in the coming months.
Now Cadets in Staffordshire, aged 14-17, will be encouraged to take part in the Lions Young Leaders in Service Awards which sees youngsters carry out 50 or 100 hours of service in a 12-month period in areas such as literacy and education, community improvement, safety, working with the elderly, public health and helping the homeless.
Deputy PCC Sue Arnold met Rick Talbot, Secretary and Youth Officer of Gnosall Lions, and Past Lions’ District Governor Frank Marnell to discuss the programme this week. Gnosall Lions will pilot the scheme with Cadets in Stafford before it is rolled out to the other Cadets Units.
Mrs Arnold said: “The Cadets’ scheme continues to provide a positive influence to the lives of many young people in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent – including some from challenging backgrounds.
“By partnering with local Lions Clubs, the Cadets will be able to take part in a fantastic programme that will see them investing significant time in their communities.
“As well as benefiting the people and areas they serve, it will give them a real sense of personal fulfilment and responsibility, new friendships and valuable skills for success.”
With 46,000 clubs – including 14 in Staffordshire – and 1.35 million members, Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization. Staffordshire Lions Clubs are part of Lions District 105BS.
Rick Talbot said: “Lions District 105BS feel very proud and honoured that our Lions Signature Programme – Young Leaders in Service (YLiS) has been taken on board by the Staffordshire Police Cadets. We feel that in making this partnership everyone will benefit, not only the Police Cadets and Lions Clubs locally but also the community in which we serve.
“The YLiS scheme is run at NO COST to Staffordshire Police – all costs of the programme being met from Lions’ resources. Gnosall Lions Club is very proud to take on the role of piloting the initial scheme in Stafford prior to it going county-wide and involving other Lions Clubs and Cadet Units throughout the county.
“The link-up looks very exciting with the Lions Clubs of Staffordshire look forward to working alongside both the Police and the Cadets to the mutual benefit of all within the county, with hopefully other counties adopting the YLiS within their own boundaries in time.”
Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Ellis has stated that he will not redirect money that’s used for frontline policing to fund the Cadets Service, so patrons and sponsors help pay for uniforms, equipment and transport for the youngsters.
For more information on Staffordshire’s Police Cadets, including details about the recently launched Junior Police Cadets, visit www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/police-cadets/
