The Dumfries and Galloway Public Protection Partnership is proud to announce the return of its annual Public Protection Week, running from 24 to 28 February 2025. Now in its fifth year, the event aims to foster compassionate communities by encouraging collaboration, raising awareness and empowering individuals to play an active role in keeping their communities safe.
With nine free planned public training events, including seven online and two in-person sessions, this year’s programme is designed to be inclusive, engaging and accessible to both professionals and members of the public.
Public Protection Week 2025 provides a platform for key partners, including Police Scotland, Missing People, Women’s Support Project, Dumfries and Galloway Recovery Together and Home-Start Wigtownshire to connect with the community and share knowledge on important public safety matters.
This year’s in-person events include a guided tour of the Pink Frog Project at Stranraer’s Community Reuse Shop, showcasing transformative learning spaces; and a compassion fatigue session at Mountainhall Lecture Theatre to promote personal well-being in frontline care and support staff.
Online sessions include an awareness session on the scale and impact of missing persons cases; financial harm and fraud prevention, equipping participants to protect themselves and loved ones from scams; discussion on recovery from substance use, featuring personal stories from volunteers involved in Recovery Communities; insights into the work of Home-Start Wigtownshire with a focus on volunteer training and real-life case studies of family support; and a presentation on the vital work of the Social Work Out of Hours Service provided by Dumfries and Galloway Council.
The week’s theme, compassionate communities, underscores the importance of public involvement in building a safer and more supportive society. Members of the public are encouraged to attend these events to enhance their understanding of public protection and contribute to creating safer neighbourhoods.
Hamish McGhie, Independent Chair of the Public Protection Committee, said:
“I am delighted that we are able to develop a week-long programme of events highlighting the valuable work of the Public Protection Partnership in Dumfries and Galloway for the fifth consecutive year.
“Public Protection Week gives partners involved in the delivery of Public Protection work an opportunity to come together to discuss a number of themes, but most importantly, this week allows us to invite the community to take part, learn, and feel empowered to support the ongoing efforts to make Dumfries and Galloway a safer and more compassionate place to live.”
Further information about each of the training events on offer, including how to book a place, is available on the Dumfries and Galloway Public Protection Partnership website at dgppp.org.uk
