Call to support trauma initiative for Jeppe and Cleveland precincts
Volunteers who undergo training will assist the police by developing victim support centres at police stations.
The community has been asked to lend its support with raising funds for a trauma counsellors’ training course.
“There is a huge need in the Cleveland and Jeppe police precincts, including Kensington, for trauma counsellors,” said Fran Reynolds, who is part of a group of residents who started the initiative.
“Communities are encouraged to work with the police, and this community initiative is part of that.”
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In October, the Jeppe and Cleveland police stations sent 25 volunteers for an introductory course in trauma counselling.
The event was held at Life Rehabilitation Hospital in Kensington, with training provided by the Trauma Resource Institute.
The facilitators introduced the course that the volunteers will be doing next year.
The course will provide an understanding of how life’s stresses impact everyday life, and how to restore health and resiliency in people who have suffered trauma.
“The hospital has always focused on rehabilitation of the mind and the body, so this was an incredible opportunity to assist the community in healing the traumatised mind,” said Reynolds.
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“The students were exposed to some of the skills they will learn in depth on the course next year. These volunteers will then assist the police by developing victim support centres at the police stations.”
The Trauma Resource Institute is an international non-profit organisation established in October 2006 in order to bring biologically based interventions to the global community.
Its Community Resiliency Model (CRM) training is based on cutting-edge science regarding the physiological and psychological impact of traumatic and highly stressful experiences.
The cost of training is R2 500 per candidate.
“We need to raise funds for the volunteers to be able to attend next year. Most of the volunteers cannot afford this course – we need local companies to sponsor,” said Reynolds.
“We will also need to set up the trauma office, so we will need paint, furnishings, heaters and cellphones to enable us to provide a safe, comfortable, quiet environment for people to discuss their most traumatic moments.”
The initiative was prompted by Reynolds’ personal experience of trauma and the need for counselling, after a tow truck crashed into her car in Cape Town.
“I realised on my return I was still very traumatised, and discovered that Jeppe and Cleveland stations only have volunteers without victim support formal training and facilities.
“Most of the victims will get referred to Life Line and social services.”
She said she wanted to encourage the residents of Kensington and surrounding areas to support victims.
For more information, contact Reynolds on 083 407 5338 or fran.b.reynolds@gmail.com, or Ruth Jacobs on 083 716 9860 or jacobswell209@gmail.com.
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