WWSET are pleased to introduce new WWSET employee Gavin James who began as our Custody Intervention Coach (CIC) today.
Gavin will take on the management and delivery of WWSET’s DIVERT Programme which seeks to reduce reoffending amongst local people aged 18-25 years old.
The DIVERT Programme, which is new to WWSET but already run in both the London and the North West areas, uses specialist CIC’s from local professional football club community organisations (such as WWSET) to engage detainees during their time in police custody and provide them with the support they need to make positive future choices concerned with things like education and employment pathways. The DIVERT Programme addresses a gap in the statutory provision for young adults and involves the CIC explaining the numerous available positive routes that the arrested individual can be referred to and then following this up with a long term development plan to assist the individual in fulfilling their own goals.
Gavin will primarily be based in Aylesbury Police Stations Custody Suite (due to the fact that the Wycombe custody suite is temporarily closed due to Covid-19) where he will be working on a daily basis engaging with detainees and various members of the police family.
Gavin had this to say about his new role:
“I’m really excited to be working for WWSET and to begin this role. There are so many young people who are caught up in negative situations for various reasons – I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to successfully build relationships with those that I meet and give them the motivation and support they need to make positive changes in order to reach their full potential.”
Head of WWSET Paul Foley followed up by saying:
“I’m delighted to welcome Gavin into the WWSET team. Whilst I’m sure the CIC role may be challenging at times due to the complex issues of some of the people being targeted for engagement, the role gives Gavin, and us as an organisation, an incredible opportunity to have a hugely positive effect on the lives of local people. Throughout the recruitment process Gavin gave the whole panel huge confidence that he has exactly the skills and knowledge required to be successful in post and we all look forward to working with him moving forward.”
Away from work Gavin is a talented footballer who has played on the international stage for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and currently plays for Burnham FC. He also won the FA Vase at Wembley with Thatcham Town FC in May 2018. In addition to his love of football Gavin also enjoys playing golf and listening to a wide range of music.
More information on the DIVERT Programme can be found by ‘clicking here’.
*WWSET wishes to thank Thames Valley Police for funding this role and the New Era Foundation for supporting its delivery.
