Thursday, April 16, 2009

Volunteer Week 1st - 7th June 2009



Volunteer Week


1st—7th June 2009


Its is the 25th anniversary of Volunteer week this June and Victim Support in Kent will be joining in as usual. We are launching a new national recruitment pack and we will be holding another of our taster sessions at Norman House in Ashford for potential new volunteers.


If anyone would like to be involved please get in touch as soon as possible! If you would like to attend the taster session please contact us on 0845 389 9527 to arrange this!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

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.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Crime Rate

Kent Chief Constable Mike Fuller

speaks about the crime rate on BBC South East Today

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Student Volunteering Week




Victim Support in Kent is very interested in hearing from any students who might be looking to undertake some voluntary work.
Telephone 0845 389 9527

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

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.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Contact Details!!

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.

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