PCC visits Bristol and Mendip

Last Friday (5 August), PCC Mark Shelford visited neighbourhoods in Bristol and Mendip as part of his latest engagement day.

In the morning, the PCC met with Bristol east MP Kerry McCarthy, local councillors and the Neighbourhood Policing for a walkabout of Capgrave Crescent and Whitmore Avenue to discuss what partnership working is needed to tackle anti-social behaviour in the area.

During the walkabout, the PCC listened to local people’s police and crime concerns and, as a result, plans to hold a drop-in surgery in the area later in the year.

Following this, the PCC met with Root Connections CIC, a community garden project tackling homelessness in the Mendip area. The organisation’s mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of adults with complex needs including those who are homeless and rough sleeping.

Root Connections is also key to the support and care provided to residents of the Dairy House, Elim Connect Centre’s Direct Access Community project. The Dairy House provides holistic treatments and activities for its residents in addition to temporary housing.

The organisation believes by offering creative social and therapeutic pathways, projects can reconnect vulnerable adults with complex needs to community life.

Finally, PCC Mark Shelford met with Stratton-on-the-Fosse parish councillors to discuss their concerns regarding rural crime.

“I enjoyed another engagement day visiting communities in both Bristol and Mendip, listening to their very different – but equally – important policing and crime concerns.

“It was a pleasure to visit Root Connections and hear about their impressive holistic approach to recovery from addiction, which is sponsored by Mendip District Council.

“The 12-week course that takes place within a dry house, brings together those who are recovering to learn and gain a certificate in horticulture. Residents involved gain a tremendous amount of being outside and part of the community as well as having wrap around medical care and therapy such as music and art.”

PCC Mark Shelford