Victim Support recruiting new volunteers

September 6th, 2012
[by David Armstrong]

Victim Support is on the lookout for people prepared to volunteer 12 hours a week to help support victims of crime, loss or trauma in the Motueka area.

Recently appointed service co-ordinator for the Nelson and Tasman region Donna Smith spoke to the 24 people attending the Community and Whanau Collective yesterday about the work of the service and what trained volunteers do during their 12-hour shifts.

She said that of the 19 volunteers who man the phones in the region, five are based in Motueka, and this makes it a challenge to work out shifts to cover the full week. Hence the need to recruit and train further helpers.

Victim Support work with the Police, but not for them, and some referrals come from sources other than those reported to Police. They aim to contact all people potentially needing help within 45 minutes of a call being made, which also provides a challenge in a large area.

Volunteers are well trained to know their role, which often amounts to listening to people who have received nasty shocks and giving them an independent ear to allow them to express themselves in times of need. More traumatised victims are referred on to other services if needed.

They deal with a wide range of victims, from serious car accidents and survivors of homicide to those whose letter boxes have been vandalised and may feel vulnerable at home.

Donna works in a full-time paid capacity but all volunteers are unpaid and the service survives through fundraising, and recently through a sponsorship by Coupland's Bakery.

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