The start of the sessions coincided with Mental Health Awareness Week on 18 May 2020, and are running on Monday evenings from 18.30 – 19.30 over a 10 week period.

Money for the sessions is coming from the Safer Communities Fund which takes cash from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act and reinvests them back into the community.

PCC Keane said: “It is vitally important that our officers and staff have access to appropriate support to manage their mental and physical health, especially at such a challenging time when everyone’s lives have been affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.”

“This is on top of the existing pressures being placed on officers and staff from witnessing excessive trauma to working long hours on a regular basis – sometimes the demands of the job can be too much and it’s our job to ensure they have the right support in place.”

“These sessions will help give our workforce some head space and the ability to use some of the techniques that mindfulness teaches to develop coping mechanisms to day to day challenges.”

The sessions will be run by Mindfulness Coach Russell Treasure who will be teaching participants how to use it to learn to relax, deal with physical and emotional pain, sleep well and make better decisions from a more relaxed mental state.

Mr Treasure has previously worked with forces, local councils, schools, prisons, and charities and private sector organisations.