Working together to support Southwick
Meet Sergeant Claire Wood – the police officer who is leading the SARA Project in Southwick.
TheSARAProject–anacro-nym for Southwick Altogether Raising Aspirations – was launched last month to help rejuvenate the area and support the communities who live there.
The project sees a number of key organisations and support services all working together under one roof at Austin House, Shakespeare Street, to streamline decision-making and provide effective outcomes. Representatives from police, the local authority, social services, housing, education and health have all signed up to the project.
“The SARA Project is completely new and hopefully something the public can get behind,” Sgt Wood said. “It’s about showcasing the best of this area, working together to tackle issues of concern and ultimately improve the lives of families who live here.
“From a policing perspective, we’ll be responding to
crime trends,proactively dealing with issues raised by residents and taking criminals off our streets.
“The early feedback we’ve had is amazing – one member of the public wrote to us saying ‘I don’t know how you’ve done it, but keep doing it’. We’d love to hear from more residents – so please get in touch.”
Sgt Wood’s route into policingwasn’tquiteasyou’dexpect – but it was always only a matter of time before she joined Northumbria Police.
She always wanted to be a police officer, with a keen interest as a child into prisons and the criminal justice system, but before taking the plunge she travelled the world through her role as cabin crew assistant with airline Jet2.
“My mum used to call me Rosie – as I saw the world with rose-tinted glasses,” Sgt Wood said. “I’ve always seen the best of people and that’s something I’ve brought with me into the police.
“I’m a people person, I love talking to different groups from different backgrounds and trying to help them.
“Over the coming weeks and months, I look forward to meeting many more Southwick residents – and would love for people to get in touch.”
To find out more about the project, search ‘Let’s Talk Sara’ on Facebook and follow @LetsTalkSARA on Twitter. You can get in touch with the SARA Project team by emailing LetsTalkSARA@sunderland.gov.uk.