First anti-violence community ambassadors appointed in Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire's Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) has recruited six passionate and driven residents to become figureheads for safety in their local areas in a scheme that is the first of its kind in the county.

The first six to be appointed are Asad Fazil, founder and chief executive of Al Hurraya, Courtney Rose, executive director of Take 1 Studios and head teacher, Hyacinth Francis-Watson, founder and project manager of Chayah Group, Dalton Stephens, youth worker and sports coach at the Renewal Trust, Marcellus Baz, chief executive of Switch Up, and Naveed Rashid, chairman at Sahara Mental Health.

The new team, who all have proven success in tackling problem behaviour and supporting people at risk of crime to change, have been appointed to support the VRU's work, build relationships with local people and ensure communities have the necessary resources and provision to encourage vulnerable people to thrive.

It is part of the VRU’s public health approach to crime which aims to empower communities to develop bespoke solutions to the issues impacting their local areas.

Paddy Tipping, Nottinghamshire’s police and crime commissioner and chairman of the VRN, said: “I warmly welcome our first community ambassadors to the team and wish them every success in their new roles.

"Each of our new recruits is already working with people at risk of becoming perpetrators or victims of violence and making a huge difference.

The ambassadors will not only focus on fighting violence but also on residents’ mental health and wellbeing, access to skills, training and employment and the support to overcome problems impacting their lives.

The team will be tasked with liaising with service providers and signposting individuals and families to their facilities as appropriate, attending community-based meetings, helping community groups and providers to deliver projects which support the VRU's work.

The VRU will deliver ongoing training, development and mentorship to ensure the ambassadors have the knowledge and tools they need.