‘Invaluable’ buddy scheme launched for new reps

1 May 2025

The latest influx of West Midlands Police Federation workplace representatives have become the first beneficiaries of a new ‘buddy’ scheme set up to ensure they have a strong support network.

The initiative was launched following this year’s workplace rep elections and was designed by Martin Bonser, the branch lead for uniform and equipment and a member of the Federation’s executive, the Branch Board.

Under the scheme each new rep was assigned an existing, more experienced counterpart as a buddy, creating 25 pairings for the flow of support and advice on an ad hoc basis.

Martin says the idea was born out of his own start to the role three years ago, a time when he was learning how to best handle a variety of cases.

The initiative was designed by Martin Bonser.

“First of all, don’t get me wrong – I found initial rep training to be very good, and the full-time officials in the Fed made it clear they were happy to help me when I needed it,” he said.

“As a general sentiment, that’s great, but it was still difficult knowing exactly who to ask which queries. I found it hard to know where to start with a blank canvas in a pre-existing world.

“No one was to blame – I think a lot of it is down to the nature of elections and volunteering in the sense of, because you put yourself forward, there’s an expectation you must just know everything.

Buddy scheme

“But, for me at least, that wasn’t the case.”

His early experiences prompted him to look at a guidance system for any reps following in his footsteps.

Taking inspiration from mentoring initiatives within the Force, he settled on the buddy scheme which has now been put into action.

Now, incoming reps – paired with buddies according to geographical area and work patterns – have a familiar colleague to talk to as they get to grips with their responsibilities.

New workplace representative Leon Allen has praised the initiative.

Leon said: “At the moment, I’m trying to lay the foundations to be a successful Fed rep for the years to come, and the buddy scheme has been brilliant for that, so far.

“While I’m still learning one step at a time, questions can pop into my head at any moment, and I don’t really want to go from person to person – a point of contact has put me much more at ease.

Invaluable

“Having that consistent source to reassure me I’m doing the right thing, as I start out, is invaluable.”

Martin echoed these sentiments: “As I’ve said, the sentiment around helping was always there, but now there’s a structure to it.

“I opted for a buddy set-up mainly for the availability of information it would give reps – I don’t think saving your questions for the next workshop would be anywhere near as beneficial.

“And sometimes, I think a lack of confidence can come from a lack of information.

“In my view, being a Fed rep can be the loneliest job in policing. People tend to come to you in negative circumstances and, from that point on, you’re responsible for whatever that member is going through.

“You act as their shield while dealing with an organisation as big as a police force. That can be daunting at the best of times, let alone when you’re new to it all.”

Support network

Acting branch chair Jess Davies, who has been assigned as Leon’s buddy, believes the support network is a great way to build working relationships within the Federation.

“We were delighted to welcome our latest workplace reps into the branch recently – and I think we’ve been able to hit the ground running with getting to know each other in a way we hadn’t before, thanks to the buddy scheme,” she said.

“Fed life can get busy, and the scheme will allow new reps to get up to speed quicker, which then opens up the possibility of workloads being shared and alleviated.

“With that said, though, we’re not in a rush – the best outcome of the scheme could potentially be the creation of balanced and rounded reps, and that doesn’t happen overnight.

“Ideally, we want every rep to feel confident and empowered to serve our membership and the profession in every way as best as possible.”