Devon & Cornwall student police officers join The National Neurodiversity Youth Council.
The National Neurodiversity Youth Council is a national visionary project, lead by young people aged 16 to 24. The council will work to bring youth voices into the national conversation, to ensure their voice is included in neurodiversity advocacy.
PC Declan Thomas and PC Paige Donaldson have been selected to join the council, and will be supported by PC John Holland from the Performance and Inclusion Team. This is a new and innovative approach that aims to increase neurodiversity within the workforce and encourage new conversation between the police service and neurodiverse communities.
Creating a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to meet our policing vision for the future. As policing grows more complex and demands on our services increase, we need people with the right skills and experiences to meet these challenging requirements. It is important to create an environment where everyone is valued for their unique contribution.
PC Declan Thomas said: “I am very pleased to be part of this fantastic opportunity going forward! My personal experience with neurodiversity has had a tremendous impact on my life growing up ultimately shaping me into the person I am today. If the information that is easily accessible now was available growing up, the support that I could have received would have been life changing not only for me but for others associated and involved towards the very complex needs that surround an individual. Whether that is being a teacher, understanding how vital your actions can leave a long-lasting impression or a friend who just understands why you might perform certain actions in a different way rather than how they might.
Being a part of this project means we can be an early intervention to encourage conversation and try to break down the barrier and stigma around neurodiversity that is still prevalent in our social life, work life and communities."
PC Paige Donaldson said: “Entering the force with potential neurodiversity was very overwhelming for me, yet the support I received massively reassured me. I am delighted to have the opportunity to take part in this project, support others with similar experiences to myself and share the awareness neurodiversity needs within society and policing.”
Zoey Empson, Neurodiversity Peer Support Network Chair, said: “This is another great example of inclusivity, equality, and inclusion. I am so pleased that not only do new recruits want to help make a difference at such early stages of their policing careers, but they are helping make positive changes locally and nationally by paving the way for others to join great lifelong policing careers within Devon and Cornwall Police and others forces.”
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