Cumbria Constabulary are celebrating after achieving national recognition for its work in supporting the wellbeing of its staff.

The Oscar Kilo national awards were created to recognised the work that has been done - and continues to be done - in providing wellbeing support across policing.

Cumbria Constabulary won the runner up award in the innovation in the personal resilience category, in recognition of the impact of its Wiser Mind Resilience Training programme, which supports frontline officers and civilian staff.

Developed by Rufus Harrington, the force's consultant cognitive behavioural psychotherapist, The Wiser Mind Programme enables participant to build personal resilience by teaching them how to integrate the more emotional and thinking parts of the brain.

Through a series of four workshops, this innovative cognitive behavioural approach facilitates practical skills and techniques to build self-esteem, process trauma, improve relationships and engage with change.

Chief Constable Michelle Skeer said: “This is a great achievement by the occupational health team to have been recognised nationally for their amazing work in support our officers and staffs wellbeing.

“The wiser mind programme has received positive feedback from those that participated and we hope that we can continue to improve on the support we can provide.”

Speaking on winning the award, Mr Harrington said: “It is a fantastic honour to have my work recognised in this way.

“Police officers and staff are an amazing group of people who keep us safe and often face immense personal risk, so that we the public can sleep safely in our beds.

“They have great courage and for me it is a great honour to be able to serve them, supporting them through the work I do.”

Caroline Russell, occupational health and wellbeing manager for Cumbria police, added: “We are incredibly privileged and grateful that Rufus has brought this programme to the constabulary.

"The impact has been significant and the opportunity to improve the wellbeing of our officers and staff in this innovative way has had a massive impact on our ability to reach those who may not normally seek our help.”