Cadets continue to grow and more young people are developing life skills, overcoming personal barriers and learning good citizenship.
One of many examples of how the VPC is helping to develop young people is Cadet Dat Duong (Dartford VPC, Kent Police).
Dat applied to travel to Morocco, to enable him and a group of young people to meet local villagers, learn about their culture and gain knowledge and understanding of the day to day challenges their community faces. The group were also on hand to offer their help and support within the community.
Before he left the UK, he approached the Dartford VPC Leaders and Cadets for donations of books, games, Lego and small items he could take with him for the children in Morocco. He left the unit with his arms full of donations which is greatly received.
Since then Dat was awarded an Amazon Voucher from the Kent VPC as he won their Battlefield Quiz earlier in the year.
Dat’s parents said -
“The prize was very well received. It was put to very good use too: Dat matched £5 from his pocket money and was successful in asking people in the neighbourhood to match another £10 so he raised £20 funds, which he then used to buy gifts for the children in Morroco. He is currently in Morroco on his adventure, and the gifts, including those from the Dartford cadets and staff, really lighted up some faces over there"
The actions of Dat demonstrate how VPC schemes can impact on a young person’s life and how VPC programmes can make difference to not just the young people who join the VPC units across all police forces in England & Wales, but to those around them and people they meet. Dat joined Dartford in November 2021 and since then has grown in confidence, self esteem, resilience and so much more.
Well done Dat !