‘I wouldn’t have it any other way’: award-winning Special on busy volunteering life

27 August 2025

After winning a Northamptonshire Police Federation ‘Excellence in Policing’ Award earlier this year, Special Support Officer Adam Jeskins gives the branch an insight into his extraordinary volunteering life.

Since joining the Special Constabulary a decade ago, Adam has gone from strength to strength as a police officer, making strong contributions to multiple teams while regularly adding to his impressive skillset.

Currently, his impact can be seen across the entirety of Northamptonshire Police’s safer roads team, which he features on both frontline and specialist operations as well as through partnerships and campaign work.

His voluntary commitments to the Force date back even further, however, to when he began as a police support volunteer in 2008, before becoming an emergency services cadet leader – a responsibility he still holds today.

But even this is only recent history when it comes to Adam’s experience of helping the community without asking for anything in return.

 

Special Support Officer Adam Jeskins.

 

“I started my first proper volunteering role when I was 13, maintaining the pitch at my local cricket ground in Brackley. My dad did a lot of voluntary work, so I was influenced by him and followed in his footsteps,” he said.

“From there, I got more and more passionate about doing my bit for the society around me, and my number of commitments just snowballed as the years went on.

“I guess you could say I’ve ended up doing more than my fair share, but I think it’s obvious how much I enjoy it and how much I get out of it. A lot of my life is built around volunteering, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Volunteering

Adam’s early affinity for supporting local cricket saw him continue his groundsman duties as he grew up, also becoming a club secretary and chairman of the South Northamptonshire Cricket League.

In addition to these and his duties around policing, he is a parish councillor and a member of an amateur dramatics club which puts on a much-loved annual pantomime in his village.

And this is all on the side of his full-time day job as an ambulance technician, which itself comes with extra shifts responding to blue-light calls from home.

“There is a lot, but my main voluntary responsibility is being a Special.  I will generally give around 130 to 140 hours a month to the Force, and the reason I do so much is that every day is different.

Roads policing

“Because of the endless reward I get out of it, I always want to do more. I felt that way when I first started, which was on a safer community team in Brackley, and I certainly do now, I have homed in on roads policing.

“I specialise in commercial vehicle enforcement and abnormal loads, helping to determine if a load needs a police escort. Within this, I became one of the first officers in the Force to become a qualified escort driver.

“What helped all of this was having previous experience driving coaches and HGVs in another brief voluntary role, so it’s great that one area of my volunteering has fed into another – it feels almost full circle.”

Adam went on to discuss his gratitude for what he has ‘got out of the Force’ in terms of skills and training, describing himself as ‘very lucky’.

Qualifications

His effort and initiative make this a two-way street, nevertheless – having every possible roads policing qualification available to him under his belt is only the beginning.

The 44-year-old has also trained in traffic incident family liaison, domestic abuse and rape and serious sexual offences, and blue light driving, meaning he can lead emergency responses in both an ambulance and a police car.

“The next one up is method-of-entry,” he continued. “What is love about policing is that it’s so diverse, and as a Special, I really feel like I can pick and choose what suits me best.

“I love the fact I’m making a difference, too – that’s what it all comes down to, and that’s ultimately what makes you proud.”

Awards

On the subject of policing pride, Adam has received formal recognition for his Special Constabulary efforts from the Force and Federation.

As well as his Federation ‘Excellence in Policing’ Award, he has earned a Chief Constable’s commendation.

“I’m still over the moon about both awards – it’s not why I do it, but to get that appreciation as a volunteer means a lot.

“To be acknowledged among so many incredible colleagues at both ceremonies was an honour. Another thing I’m grateful for in the police is the friendships I have made with some amazing people.”

For all his dedication, achievement and fulfilment in volunteering, one question around Adam remains: with a full-time job to contend with as well, how does he find the time to switch off and rest?

Downtime

For him, the answer is as simple as going back to the very beginning.

“Honestly, my ‘me’ time is maintaining the pitch at the cricket ground – just like it was when I was 13. It’s just me, the grass and the fresh air,” he said.

“I think, when you do so much, it makes sense that some of your volunteering work is also your downtime.

“As for my actual downtime – my days off from everything – I often find myself still wanting to be out there doing something. I think that shows that, although I do struggle saying no, I could never begrudge anything I do as a volunteer.”

READ MORE: 24/7 mental health helpline now available to Fed members.