“The (VIPS) …really opened up about themselves…. It (brought) home to us the suffering and prejudices they have had to bear”

“For once we could get the first hand view and not the view of the second party”

(Enfield Libraries)

Article by Enfield libraries about our training (Please follow Link)

“Very varied activities, which were fun, relevant and put the points across well. Thank you to the VIPs for a very successful course”

“Very moving fun and relevant, increased awareness and confidence-really helpful”

“Meeting people with learning disabilities who were so open and honest, and listening to their experiences has given me so much to think about”

(Hertfordshire Libraries)

“Understanding why people with learning disabilities may be carrying a lot of negative psychological baggage when they engage the person at customer services desk”

“Meeting the people who could be our customers and learning from their experiences/stories”

“The various different tasks and the ways in which the tasks brought further awareness regarding mental health/learnning difficulties etc., also being able to hear everyone’s stories and experiences gave me a greater understanding in how people should be treated and their expectations”

“I enjoyed every aspect of the training”

(Hackney Council)

The group have also presented a short scenario at the Enfield Hate Crime Forum (Please follow link) http://www.vimeo.com/1350739

“The VIP group made people realise the untold events that happen regularly and their tales of suffering that goes untold. As such it’s a great eye opener to those that don’t know much about hate crime committed against people with learning difficulties”.

It was a “thought provoking experience” for the participants attending the hate crime forum.

My title is Detective Chief Inspector Safer neighbourhood policing and partnerships.

I have 23 years in the Police service serving mostly as a Detective I voluntarily asked for a transfer back to Borough policing from a specialist unit at Scotland Yard as I felt I had lost my way. I joined the Police service to make a difference to the lives of Londoners particularly those who could not or were not in a position to defend themselves for different reasons.

I was invited to speak at the hate crime forum to highlight how the police deal with hate crime in its different forms. Before my slot I was privileged to see a production that put into context my whole Police career and made me think that I had made the right decision in coming back to community Policing. The VIP group in the one production reignited the fire that was on its way out. I am again excited at the prospect of doing what I wanted to do from the outset which was to make a difference to people with different needs.

Thank you VIP group I now have a path to follow again.