I am currently working for Victim Support (VS) and receive about 6 referral a week via the police.  The University have been very supportive, initially allowing me some time to undertake my original 1 weeks training, which was all in works time.  After I completed my training my work is all in my own time and i think its very valuable working in and supporting the local Community (I only cover Middlesbrough at the moment but in January 2008 the work will be Tees Valley Wide). 

In some cases I have been able to advise people about coming to the University to improve their work status, also some of the other volunteers are students studying at the University and are originally from another country so its good to get their prospective on crime issues and prejudices.  My case load currently covers Criminal Damage, ABH, Burglary and Theft, but I will be specialising in some different areas in the future.

After initially saying I thought it didn’t really benefit the University, having thought about it, I feel it does as the majority of our students live in the local community and the likelihood is VS will probably have helped a large proportion of them in the past and will be available in the future if support is needed.  I have also been involved in representing VS working with Middlesbrough Partnerships at functions such as the Middlesbrough MELA and supporting items regarding Racial abuse, prejudice and harassment, i have also recently completed phase 1 of a drug awareness course with the North East Council on Addictions (neca) and will continue to do further courses/workshops through VS.