It Gives Me Purpose – Charmaine Daoud on Volunteering with TVP

Charmaine has been volunteering with Thames Valley Police since 2008 – but her journey started long before that.

Back in 2001, Charmaine was involved in a serious car accident caused by a drunk driver. The crash took the lives of both her father and sister, and left her paralysed from the neck down. It was a life-changing moment for the former personal trainer. She was just 21 years old.

Before the accident, she had already been thinking about a career in policing. “I’d filled out my paperwork to become a Special. I was at university, working part-time and studying. I wanted to work my way up in the police.”

In 2008, Charmaine started volunteering with TVP on the recommendation of a family member that was already part of the force. Initially that came in the form of logging hours for volunteers, while currently she’s giving up her time in Milton Keynes, managing information on our cadets.

17 years on, there must be something that has kept Charmaine motivated to come back…

“The first person at the scene of my accident was an off-duty police officer. I wanted to give something back. To say thank you. It gives me structure, routine, and purpose. It gives me something to live for.”

Volunteering has clearly had a hugely positive impact for Charmaine, and she encourages others to give it a go too. “You get a great sense of teamwork and achievement. You step outside your comfort zone. It’s not just for the typical 9-to-5 person, it’s for anyone who wants to do something different.”

Thinking about volunteering?

If you’re considering volunteering with Thames Valley Police, Charmaine’s story is a great reminder that there’s no one “type” of person who volunteers. Whether you’re acting as a positive role model for young people as a cadet leader, helping train our next generation of officers as a role player, or providing expertise in cyber-crime investigations – there are a whole host of opportunities to do something meaningful.

Visit our volunteering page to learn more about volunteering with TVP, or head over to the vacancies portal for current opportunities.