The Correct contact details for Victim Support in Kent are
Victim Support
Norman House
Beaver Road Industrial Estate
Ashford
Kent
TN23 7SH
Tel 0845 389 9527
Fax 01233 618025
Email vs.kent@victimsupport.org.uk
No other addresses should be used as no other offices are currently open.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Victims Getting A Great Level of Care!
Victim Care officers and volunteers are working together to deliver a great level of care to victims in Kent.
The new system has taken some getting used to for all involved but has started to be a definite success.
Enhanced service manager Lin Smith said “The new system is now delivering an excellent level of care to victims of crimes across all areas of Kent”
Under the new system Victim Care Officers (VCOs) based at Norman House in Ashford make the first contacts with crime victims to see if any help or support is required. The VCOs have a series of practical services they can offer straight away such as boarding up broken windows or replacing locks and bolts, using the services of designated repairs service called BOING.
The VCOs have a lot of flexibility in their approach to these practical issues. VCO Denice Lake was able to organise the provision of basic furniture and household goods for a man whose flat had been stripped bare by raiders in Thanet. When she realised his plight she immediately assigned a volunteer who was able to make a quick visit and confirmed the urgency of the situation. Denice then contacted a supplier of second hand and recycled goods, and was able to provide a bed and bedding a table, and basic kitchen equipment including plates and cutlery and a kettle. A follow up visit by the volunteer confirmed that all the things had arrived and that the victim was really pleased with the support he got.
VCO Jonathan Cornell had a repair team in place within fifteen minutes and the repairs completed in under two hours after a call to a victim of a burglary in North Kent. Burglars had smashed doors and window locks and done other damage to her house. The service uses locally based tradespeople to do the repair work and teams do not have to travel long distances and can be speedily on the spot.
But the service is not restricted to doors and locks, but can also extend to things such as key safe boxes, and one was replaced in South East Kent recently.
The victims referred to volunteer support are those who really need it and have asked for it. Volunteers have got extensive training and are now being challenged to use that training in difficult and sensitive cases.
There is no telephoning of long lists of people many of whom do not want any support, rather in many cases victims are awaiting a call and have a lot to say.
VCOs have a high pressure job as they are telephoning crime victims all day with no easy way to know what to expect. Responses vary from the cool to the highly emotional. In addition, more and more victims have begun to self refer using the Kent call in number. The service on the number is available from 8.00 am to 8.00pm Monday to Friday.
Plans are in hand to increase the number of self referrals by more widely publicising the VS telephone number for easy contacts.
0845 389 9527
The new system has taken some getting used to for all involved but has started to be a definite success.
Enhanced service manager Lin Smith said “The new system is now delivering an excellent level of care to victims of crimes across all areas of Kent”
Under the new system Victim Care Officers (VCOs) based at Norman House in Ashford make the first contacts with crime victims to see if any help or support is required. The VCOs have a series of practical services they can offer straight away such as boarding up broken windows or replacing locks and bolts, using the services of designated repairs service called BOING.
The VCOs have a lot of flexibility in their approach to these practical issues. VCO Denice Lake was able to organise the provision of basic furniture and household goods for a man whose flat had been stripped bare by raiders in Thanet. When she realised his plight she immediately assigned a volunteer who was able to make a quick visit and confirmed the urgency of the situation. Denice then contacted a supplier of second hand and recycled goods, and was able to provide a bed and bedding a table, and basic kitchen equipment including plates and cutlery and a kettle. A follow up visit by the volunteer confirmed that all the things had arrived and that the victim was really pleased with the support he got.
VCO Jonathan Cornell had a repair team in place within fifteen minutes and the repairs completed in under two hours after a call to a victim of a burglary in North Kent. Burglars had smashed doors and window locks and done other damage to her house. The service uses locally based tradespeople to do the repair work and teams do not have to travel long distances and can be speedily on the spot.
But the service is not restricted to doors and locks, but can also extend to things such as key safe boxes, and one was replaced in South East Kent recently.
The victims referred to volunteer support are those who really need it and have asked for it. Volunteers have got extensive training and are now being challenged to use that training in difficult and sensitive cases.
There is no telephoning of long lists of people many of whom do not want any support, rather in many cases victims are awaiting a call and have a lot to say.
VCOs have a high pressure job as they are telephoning crime victims all day with no easy way to know what to expect. Responses vary from the cool to the highly emotional. In addition, more and more victims have begun to self refer using the Kent call in number. The service on the number is available from 8.00 am to 8.00pm Monday to Friday.
Plans are in hand to increase the number of self referrals by more widely publicising the VS telephone number for easy contacts.
0845 389 9527
Monday, October 6, 2008
Kent Newsletter!
Welcome to the first Kent wide newsletter from Victim Support after the successful launch of our Victim Care Unit. Kent is still divided into 4 areas for administrative purposes
West Kent and Dartford Robert Chambers 01233 618004
Medway and Gravesend
Jan Turner 01233 618002
Maidstone, Swale and Ashford Lesley Piggott-Cubitt 01233 618003
Canterbury and Thanet Bridget Blackford-Read 01233 618001 .
The first experience of the new system in which Victim Care Officers (VCOs) make initial contact with a crime victim before passing on for volunteer support if needed is that there is a high percentage of serious crimes like domestic abuse, sexual crimes and violence amongst those asking for volunteer help. Extra training courses for all interested volunteers in these difficult areas will be organised in 2009.
The VCOs are Mutsa Zemura, Gill Cubitt, Denice Lake, Joe Cornell, Eloise Newman, Karen Jones and Becky Avery. They can be contacted directly with any queries under the general new number, 0845 3899527.
Special thanks are in order to Denzil Peach who managed the difficult and complex change to a single county wide office and a big welcome to Alison Donnelly who has taken over from him as Victim Support Area Manager.
West Kent and Dartford Robert Chambers 01233 618004
Medway and Gravesend
Jan Turner 01233 618002
Maidstone, Swale and Ashford Lesley Piggott-Cubitt 01233 618003
Canterbury and Thanet Bridget Blackford-Read 01233 618001 .
The first experience of the new system in which Victim Care Officers (VCOs) make initial contact with a crime victim before passing on for volunteer support if needed is that there is a high percentage of serious crimes like domestic abuse, sexual crimes and violence amongst those asking for volunteer help. Extra training courses for all interested volunteers in these difficult areas will be organised in 2009.
The VCOs are Mutsa Zemura, Gill Cubitt, Denice Lake, Joe Cornell, Eloise Newman, Karen Jones and Becky Avery. They can be contacted directly with any queries under the general new number, 0845 3899527.
Special thanks are in order to Denzil Peach who managed the difficult and complex change to a single county wide office and a big welcome to Alison Donnelly who has taken over from him as Victim Support Area Manager.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
WE ARE ACTIVELY SEEKING VOLUNTEERS…..
Victim Support is a national charity that supports people, families and friends affected by crime. We offer emotional and practical help and information.
WE ARE ACTIVELY SEEKING VOLUNTEERS…..
Following any crime, victims will receive a telephone call from a Victim Care Officer, and then often choose to speak at greater length with one of our specifically trained volunteers.
We are now actively seeking volunteers to support people affected by Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assaults within the Kent area.
Our training courses will give you the skills to offer information and emotional support to women and men who have been raped or sexually assaulted, or who are living with domestic abuse and trying to come to terms with a violent partner. You will help the “survivor” talk through what they may want to do following the attack or incident they have suffered.
Domestic abuse involves physical and sexual violence, verbal, emotional or financial abuse between adults who are or have been in an intimate relationship with each other, or are family members, or men and women in same-gender relationships, irrespective of age or culture.
Being raped or sexually assaulted is a very distressing experience and the effects may be emotional and physical, and long-lasting. In time, many people do come to terms with their experience, particularly if they have been offered appropriate support. Survivor’s can find it difficult to talk to a member of their family or friends, and often speaking to someone she/he does not know will be easier.
So if you are a good listener, can empathise, are compassionate and non-judgemental, and willing to give some of your time to help, please call one of our Volunteer & Community Managers and we will be happy to discuss your application to become part of a team to support victims of crime.
Canterbury, Thanet & SE Kent – 01233 618001
Medway & Gravesend – 01233 618002
Ashford, Maidstone & Swale – 01233 618003
West Kent & Dartford – 01233 618004
Unfortunately we are unable to accept applications from people who are currently living with domestic abuse, or who have experienced domestic abuse or another life changing event in the last two years, such as rape or a bereavement. If you would like support from us, please phone one of our Victim Care Officers on 0845 3899 527.
WE ARE ACTIVELY SEEKING VOLUNTEERS…..
Following any crime, victims will receive a telephone call from a Victim Care Officer, and then often choose to speak at greater length with one of our specifically trained volunteers.
We are now actively seeking volunteers to support people affected by Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assaults within the Kent area.
Our training courses will give you the skills to offer information and emotional support to women and men who have been raped or sexually assaulted, or who are living with domestic abuse and trying to come to terms with a violent partner. You will help the “survivor” talk through what they may want to do following the attack or incident they have suffered.
Domestic abuse involves physical and sexual violence, verbal, emotional or financial abuse between adults who are or have been in an intimate relationship with each other, or are family members, or men and women in same-gender relationships, irrespective of age or culture.
Being raped or sexually assaulted is a very distressing experience and the effects may be emotional and physical, and long-lasting. In time, many people do come to terms with their experience, particularly if they have been offered appropriate support. Survivor’s can find it difficult to talk to a member of their family or friends, and often speaking to someone she/he does not know will be easier.
So if you are a good listener, can empathise, are compassionate and non-judgemental, and willing to give some of your time to help, please call one of our Volunteer & Community Managers and we will be happy to discuss your application to become part of a team to support victims of crime.
Canterbury, Thanet & SE Kent – 01233 618001
Medway & Gravesend – 01233 618002
Ashford, Maidstone & Swale – 01233 618003
West Kent & Dartford – 01233 618004
Unfortunately we are unable to accept applications from people who are currently living with domestic abuse, or who have experienced domestic abuse or another life changing event in the last two years, such as rape or a bereavement. If you would like support from us, please phone one of our Victim Care Officers on 0845 3899 527.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
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