Plans to create a new service offering support, help and advice to injured police officers and their families have taken another step forward after a successful second virtual focus group meeting at which ex-Staffordshire officer Mark Calladine described the impact two road traffic accidents in 2017 had on him and his family.
Mark’s former colleague Claire Bond is one of the driving forces behind Wounded Blue Line which will be a one-stop shop providing injured frontline workers with vital information and guidance on issues such as benefit entitlement, what they can claim while off work, what help is available to them and how it can be accessed.
The project is being spearheaded by branch wellbeing lead Claire, who was herself seriously injured on duty, and Police Federation national wellbeing lead Belinda Goodwin who jointly hosted last week’s online event.
They also want the network to become a safe environment for injured officers and their families to talk openly about their own experiences, setbacks and goals so invited guest speakers, including Mark, who retired on health grounds, to share their stories.
He told the meeting about the two accidents and how he and his family were affected and said he was offered support by the Force after the accidents but felt much more could be done to help family members who were impacted by the life-changing trauma.
Belinda said: “We want Wounded Blue Line to fill that gap with local champions taking up a sort of family liaison officer role to offer help and support the loved ones of members involved in accidents.”
Another speaker, Metropolitan Police officer and mental health first aid trainer Steve McQueenie, talked about his experiences as a survivor of the 2004 tsunami in Thailand and how he came to terms with the traumatic aftermath.
Belinda and Claire said feedback from those who attended was positive but acknowledged it was still early days and planned to hold further meetings with colleagues who want to get involved with Wounded Blue Line to discuss in greater detail the best ways of moving the project forward.
