Local CEO encourges others to join police cadets

A Newtown chief executive is urging others to consider volunteering with the police cadets after spending seven years mentoring young people in the community.

Yasmin Bell, who works full-time as chief executive officer for Citizens Advice Newtown, has dedicated her Wednesday evenings to the Newtown Cadet Unit since September 2018, helping young people aged 13 to 17 develop valuable life skills.

The Police Cadet Scheme is a nationally recognised free programme that gives young people the opportunity to make friends, develop leadership skills, engage with the police and contribute positively to their communities. The cadets take part in a two-hour weekly structured programme at various locations across the Dyfed-Powys Police force area.

Ms Bell initially joined the programme after both her daughters had left home and her husband was working shifts. "I started volunteering as I wanted to help young people in my area to develop new skills and feel more confident in themselves," she said. "I quickly realised I was learning just as much as they were."

She explained that volunteering has provided her with new experiences and opportunities to develop her own skills whilst enabling her to use her existing knowledge to help the cadets. "I get a lot of satisfaction out of helping others to achieve and it is very rewarding," she said.

The cadets participate in various activities including talks from different policing departments such as dog handlers, the armed response unit and CID. They also visit the custody suite and help out at community events and Remembrance Day parades, enhancing the relationship between the public and the police.

Ms Bell's dedication was recognised when she was awarded Dyfed-Powys Police Volunteer of the Year in March 2023 for her contribution to the cadets.

"I get as much out of it as they do. Volunteering is a two-way process. You wouldn't do it if you didn't get anything from it," she said. "I enjoy being a volunteer police cadet leader. I love the whole experience and I look forward to our meetings every week."

She believes the programme gives youngsters a sense of purpose and belonging, helping them make friends who share the same interests and develop their confidence. "It is wonderful watching them grow and progress," she added.

Dyfed-Powys Police is currently recruiting volunteer leaders across the force area. Ms Bell encourages others to consider the role, saying: "If you are thinking about volunteering with the cadets – just do it! Like myself, you don't have to be from a policing background and you will be surprised how much you will learn and get back from it, while helping the young people in your community learn valuable life skills."

Those interested in becoming a volunteer police cadet leader can visit the Dyfed-Powys Police website for more information or to express an interest.