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
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