Head To Toe Charity supports wellbeing of vulnerable people in Cambridgeshire Police Custody.
Head to Toe – the charity of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust – has donated a range of books and magazines to specialist mental health staff who work directly with people who are being held in police custody.
The Trust’s Liaison and Diversion Service will use the books to help reduce the stress and anxiety of people they support.
The team are based within police stations and courts across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, providing assessments for any mental health or vulnerability needs. They also provide information about services such as health, housing, drug and alcohol services or probation which will ultimately steer people away from the criminal justice system.
Sarah Newman, mental health practitioner for the Liaison and Diversion Service, said: "The donation of the books will go a long way to support everyone in custody, acting as a distraction and something to focus on. It is hoped that these resources will greatly improve the emotional wellbeing of people who come into custody.”
Tracey Southwell, grants officer at Head to Toe, recently delivered the books they have funded to Parkside Police Station in Cambridge.
Tracey - pictured above with Inspector Ian Wood from Cambridgeshire Police and Sarah Newman and Sam Craft from the Liaison and Diversion Service - said: “We were contacted by the Liaison and Diversion service who said they have noticed an increase in the number of vulnerable people coming into custody who would benefit from reading to help reduce stress and anxiety.”
Inspector Wood said: “We are very grateful for the donation which will make a significant difference to people during their time in custody. We have around 10,000 detainees a year across the county and rely on donations to maintain a sufficient stock of reading materials.”