Outgoing SETDAB Chair, Jane Gardner hailed for her leadership and support
Heartfelt thanks have been given to Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Jane Gardner as she retires from her leadership role within the domestic abuse sphere.
Jane has acted as chair of Southend, Essex & Thurrock Domestic Abuse Board (SETDAB) for the last seven years.
As she hosted her last annual SETDAB conference, at Chelmsford City Racecourse, before her retirement in December, she thanked delegates for what they had achieved together.
She said: “We are really good in Essex at partnership, we respect each other for the contribution made and we communicate well with each other. When we get like-minded people in a room to make differences on an agenda, things happen. Boundaries between organisations blur and the attitude we adopt is ‘what can we all do’ – I love that about this SETDAB.
“I am most proud of the fact that we really do put survivors at the heart of our work, their voice matters and is important to our work.
“I also love that we have been at the cutting edge of programmes for perpetrators. We have been able to lean on the Government to get so much funding and are still pushing for more If we are truly committed to breaking the cycle of domestic abuse, we have to give focus in this area.
Finally, I am really proud of the joint commissioning approach that we have taken to our work to maximise what we have available and funding that we have managed to secure at a national level for this work.
“People are still as ambitious now as when I started and that is incredible.
“It has been an absolute privilege to serve as the chair and to work with such talented practitioners over many years who have started to make the difference we all want to see. It has been the greatest honour and privilege to lead this group. All I ask is that you continue doing what you do. You are the people who make the real difference in people’s lives.
“I am very excited to see what happens next.”
During the event, head of domestic abuse partnerships Alison Gilmour paid tribute to Jane’s contributions to the domestic abuse agenda.
She said: “Jane has given us real leadership and drive, taking us through two strategies, having just launched one for 2025 to 2030. She has really helped to galvanise and get agencies on board to play their part, and has been key to the central team to deliver this work.
“Jane is the first person to put her hand up and talk about the issues, whether that be with the police or other agencies. She understands it is a project we need more people to talk about. No agency can do it on their own. Jane understands that and embodies it in her role as Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
“Even when people leave our world, they never leave forever as they are genuinely passionate about this work. Jane is passionate about this topic, so I hope she comes back to us in some form as we do not want to lose that passion and enthusiasm.”
Assistant Chief Constable of Essex Police Lucy Morris, SETDAB vice chair, presented Jane with a bunch of flowers in thanks and said to her colleague: “You have given us leadership and developed SETDAB into what it is today. What I have seen since I have been involved with SETDAB is that SETDAB is what you have made it.
“Your good humour and leadership are exceptional, but your ability to get people to work for the collective good is second to none.
“You leave us in a really strong position, thanks to your dedication and your hard work. We are going to miss you hugely.”