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New nature initiative helps people with borderline personality disorder

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A new programme is helping people in Suffolk with borderline personality disorder connect with nature and improve their wellbeing.

The big picture: Suffolk Mind's Waves service has partnered with Suffolk Wildlife Trust to offer "Waves in the Wilds" visits to local nature reserves. The initiative aims to provide a peaceful setting for participants to experience nature and discuss their mental health.

Charlie Zakss and Kym Hackett
Charlie Zakss and Kym HackettSuffolk Mind

Why it matters: Outdoor therapy sessions can offer a different approach to traditional group settings, allowing clients to open up in a more relaxed environment.

Waves's Community Services Manager, Kym Hackett, said clients have been "looking around in childlike wonder" during the visits and that the programme helps people "get away from the stress and noise of daily life."

What they're saying: Dawn, a service user who visited Martlesham Wilds, praised the initiative:

"Waves in the Wild opened the door to a new therapy for me. It's easier to walk and talk when you're in an environment like this. It's not all focused on you – it's a different way of working."

Another participant described the experience as "relaxing and calm," saying their "inner child felt free when with nature."

About the programme: Waves is a 12-week programme for people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder or emotionally unstable personality disorder. It aims to help participants:

  • Learn new skills to manage their diagnosis

  • Build confidence and self-esteem

  • Weekly sessions are held in Ipswich on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

What's next: Further visits are planned at Suffolk Wildlife Trust's Bradfield Woods nature reserve in the spring, funded by the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths' Landscape for All Fund.

The bottom line: Charlie Zakss, Engagement Officer at Suffolk Wildlife Trust, emphasised the mutual benefits of the partnership: "Nature can recover and nature can help you recover."

How to access: Admission to the Waves service is by referral from health and social care professionals. More information is available at www.suffolkmind.org.uk/services/waves-borderline-personality-disorder-support

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Nine arrests made in Ipswich police operation targeting road criminals

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More than 70 vehicles were stopped and over 190 Traffic Offence Reports issued during a multi-agency day of action in Ipswich last week.

Why it matters: The operation targeted criminals using Ipswich's road network while also focusing on dangerous driving behaviours that contribute to fatal collisions.

The big picture: The intelligence-led operation involved nine partner agencies and took place on Tuesday, 22 April at a check site at Sainsbury's in Hadleigh Road, aiming to disrupt organised crime groups that operate across county borders.

Police arrested nine people and stopped more than 100 vehicles
More than 70 vehicles were stopped and over 190 Traffic Offence Reports issued during the latest operationSuffolk Constabulary

By the numbers:

  • 71 vehicles were escorted to the check site, with just 14 found clear of offences

  • 63 Traffic Offence Reports were issued at the site

  • 129 additional speeding offences were detected in surrounding areas

  • Five vehicles were seized for various offences

The details: Police made four arrests, including three for drug-driving and one for a suspect wanted by Lincolnshire Police for theft. Immigration Enforcement made five further arrests after checking 51 people.

Officers focused on the "Fatal Four" offences that commonly cause serious accidents: drink/drug driving, mobile phone use, speeding, and not wearing a seatbelt.

A motorcyclist was recorded travelling at 81mph in a 40mph zone on the A1214 London Road.

What they're saying: Sergeant Alex Kelly of the Roads and Armed Policing Team said: "Days of action like this are vital in helping us gather and share intelligence with partner agencies, and are also a great way of intensely targeting an area."

"I have attended far too many collisions where one of the 'Fatal Four' elements was a contributing factor, some of which have resulted in the loss of a loved one."

Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore added: "The number of arrests and traffic offences recorded show just how valuable these multi-agency days of actions are."

"I fully support these pro-active campaigns. They send out a strong, clear message to those who choose not to comply with the 'fatal four' that Suffolk Constabulary is on the case."

The bottom line: The operation was part of the National Police Chiefs' Council's Operation Spotlight, which focuses on criminal use of the road network and targets those committing the most dangerous driving offences.

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