Volunteers are urgently needed to assist police with several cases of trauma at a victim support unit at the local station.
David Hendricks, programme coordinator, says the desperate call is due to an increase in crime in the area.
“Crime happens at any time and we have to be ready to support these victims. We receive victims daily and do not have enough volunteers to assist us.”
About 10 victims per day are brought to the centre for counselling. They are from Lansdowne and surrounding areas.
Hendricks says there are currently five volunteers in the unit and the aim is to have at least 20 within the next few months.
“We need committed and passionate people to come on board. There is a screening process that will need to be followed, before we accept and train them.
“The requirements are a Grade 10 qualification, availability, good communication and listening skills, commitment to a compulsory prohibition period, and commitment to a specific volunteering period.
“We are also looking for volunteers’ willingness to obey policies and their commitment to a full training period. They must also be emotionally stable and must be people from the community.”
Hendricks says volunteers do not go into crime scenes, but only assist the victims at the police station. But in order to better meet the needs of the victims, the trauma department now requires a bigger room to accommodate the team and victims, he says.
Toys and educational items are needed to keep children occupied while waiting.
The unit is open seven days a week and local residents are invited to visit and see how they can help.