Dartford Mayors Charity - Pizza and Poetry Evening

Friday 4th December - 7.45 pm

Scout/Guide Hut – Eden Road, Joydens Wood DA5 2EG

You are invited to recite your chosen piece of

poetry (2 mins max) or just listen and enjoy.

Pizzas from Domino Pizzas, salad and

Garlic bread to be served.

Bring your own plonk and glasses.

Raffle


Price: £8.50. Cheques payable to Mayor’s charity

To reserve your place, please contact

Jennifer Rickwood
68 Spurrell Ave Joydens Wood DA5 2EX
01322 522361




Please reserve _____seats for Poetry and Pizza on 4th Dec ‘09

Name_________________________ Cheque/cash enclosed £_______

Pizza choice (2 lge portions per person )

Cheese and tomato no.______‘

Meateor’ (mxd meat) no._____

Hawaiian no. _____

Please apply directly to the organisers. One of the beneficiaries of the Mayors Fund this year is Victim Support and we are very grateful for the kindness and enthusiasm of all those helping!

A full list of events raising money for the fund is available from VS

Working in the Witness Service

Working in the Witness Service can sometimes seem a thankless task so it is particularly valued when that work is recognised in this case the quote below is the commendation received by Judge MacDonald

Pictured left. Witness Service Volunteers in Maidstone Valerie Scott, David Williamson, Heather Allam and their co-ordinator, Maureen Utting



“The complainant and principal witness was a female young person then aged 17 who had been in care most of her life and was clearly a very troubled and damaged individual
Although the volunteers who work in our Witness Service give their valued services to witnesses of many types and emotional states, it is cases such as this where the allegations are of a sexual nature and the complainant was under age, which on the one hand, particularly require those skills and on the other, are especially taxing of them.
During the course of her testimony, this particular witness offered unusual challenges. She absconded several times, initially for a day. She had to be pursued within and outside the building. She screamed loudly which was disconcerting and disrupted the proceedings in other courts.
Her behaviour showed a disregard for her own personal safety which could well have spilled over into exposing her supporters to risk. She was possibly the most difficult link witness seen here in 18 years.
I am delighted to record, though knowing them, I would have expected no less, that her witness supporters behaved with exemplary commitment and fortitude during this conduct, true to their oaths, safeguarding and supporting her and that they were instrumental in the achievement of justice in this trial. Their performance in the trial was a reflection on the fine leadership they enjoy.

I therefore thank and commend Valerie Scott, David Williamson, Heather Allam and their co-ordinator, Maureen Utting for their services in this trial. I have a letter for each of you to keep as a memento.”

Advice for New Volunteers

Advice and Help for Volunteers
Completing the Core Learning Course

Do Offer:

Emotional Support

· Someone to talk to
· Reassurance
· Emotional Support

Practical Help

· Information on the Witness Service
· Help with CICA Application forms
· Contacts to other local organisations
· Information on Police procedures

Do Not Offer

· Counselling
· Legal Advice
· Medical Advice
· Benefits Information

Other Information

· Any liaison with the Police, Crown Prosecution Service and other statutory bodies must be made through your volunteer manager.
· The service we offer is normally short term. Please consult your volunteer manager if you feel contact with a client is becoming on-going.
· Please update the office whenever you have contact with a client. You can do this by telephone, fax or e-mail, using agreed procedures.
· Please claim expenses on a monthly basis using the correct forms and correct procedure.
· Please remember to inform the office when you are going on holiday or will be unavailable for any other reason.
· When phoning a client , please always dial 141 to withhold your number. If a client’s phone does not accept with held calls, please inform the office. Never give your number to a victim or any other details which could identify you.

In case of any problems call your line manager or the Victim Care Unit on
0845 389 9527 (Mon-Fri 8.00am to 8.00 pm)

Volunteers Week Partner

Volunteers' Week: Volunteers' Week Partner: Victim Support

In Kent Victim Support has participated in a recruitment event in Tunbridge Wells, a photo exhibition on volunteering and organised volunteers taster sessions in Ashford. We are working with Kent County Council and Kent Union.

Kent Police Essential to Victim Support

Crime victims details are passed to Victim Support from the Police, with the help and support of the Area Crime management Units. This requires that each victim is asked if they wish to get help and then that the details are passed on.
As is well known Kent Police Officers do a difficult and risky job and in addition face a lot of bureaucracy in their day-to-day work.
Asking each possible client if they would like their details to be passed to Victim Support adds to the daily burden.
However, if this process does not work then thousands of victims are left potentially without the help and support they need.
Kent Police give us their daily support in this and in doing so are making a real difference to the lives of victims and witnesses.
Highly trained volunteers offer those victims three main kinds of support. Emotional support to help deal with the personal effects of crime, information to make better choices and practical help which can range from form filling to lock fitting as well as support in court and preparing to be a witness.

Student Volunteering Week

http//www.volunteering.org.uk/studentvolunteeringweek

Victim Support in Kent is very interested in hearing from any students who might be looking to undertake some voluntary work.

Please email us vs.kent@victimsupport.org.uk

Telephone 0845 389 9527

Why Do People Volunteer?

Why Do People Volunteer?

People volunteer for a number of different reasons, ranging from a desire to learn new skills, have fun or make a difference. Some are completely devoted to the cause, while others simply wish to do their bit where they can.

Give Something Back

One of the more obvious reasons why people volunteer is because they find something they are passionate about and want to do something good for others. People who volunteer in their community have a personal attachment to the area and want to make it a better place for themselves and for others.
It's a truly unique learning experience that will see you interacting with new cultures, as a volunteer you will get a real glimpse of the many local cultures.Personal Growth
Many people choose to volunteer because of the personal benefits that volunteering has on their character. Indeed, volunteers often say that the experience has made them a better person. In most cases, volunteers also become more concerned and aware of the problems facing the world. It is not uncommon for volunteers to return home with a determination to continue their good work in the local community as well.

Personal Benefit

In most cases the biggest personal benefit is simply feeling good about yourself. Volunteers make a real difference to the world we live in.

Skills and Experience

Volunteer work is a great way to gain experience in a broad range of fields.

To Have Fun

I don’t think anyone would volunteer, despite all the benefits, if the work was intolerable and they didn’t have any fun. Volunteer work can be hard, strenuous, dirty and frustrating but it is also usually great fun and extremely rewarding. It will send you spiralling from homesickness, illness to culture shock but the fact is - you wouldn't do it if it wasn't worth it and see people smile! It's something different, memorable and, for many, life-changing! So whatever your reason for volunteering, you’ll find that it offers you a truly unique experience in today’s busy world.

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.

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.