In the dark moments after a crime or tragedy, volunteers of Victim Services Wellington are there to provide support to victims.
Now, the organization needs help from the community as it looks for new crisis responders.
“We usually like to sit around 80 volunteers, but right now we’re at about the 40 mark,” said Lauren Hotchkiss, direct services coordinator for Victim Services Wellington, about their volunteer numbers.
Crisis responders help with immediate, mobile responses to requests from emergency and police units across Wellington region. Hotchkiss explains volunteers provide 24/7 support for victims, many giving up sleep, time and energy to support their community.
“At least 95 per cent of the calls that we go out on, we have volunteers doing those calls,” said Hotchkiss. “If it’s the middle of the night, and there’s a car accident, and if the OPP needs someone to support the victim of a car accident, those volunteers are going out.”
Along with providing support on scene, volunteers provide information for services and help individuals secure transportation, and shelter, when necessary. They also follow up with victims later on to determine any long term needs.
For a brief period of time during the pandemic, Hotchkiss said volunteers were only providing phone services. As of March 1, they went back to providing on-scene support.
“We’re always happy to help and we’re glad to be back to offering on-scene support, because I think that’s so crucial and critical to have someone there with them, rather than just a follow up phone call,” said Hotchkiss. “I know that emergency services and the personnel with the OPP and Guelph police really appreciate it too.”
While there are lots of volunteers in Guelph and South Wellington, more crisis responders are needed in North Wellington, Minto and Mapleton.
“It is kind of the farther end of Wellington, lower population, more rural area, so we like to have more volunteers up here, because the driving time can be a bit more, so it’s a bit more convenient if we have volunteers who work and live up in this end of Wellington,” said Hotchkiss.
To volunteer, residents must be age 20 or older, have a valid driver's licence, access to a vehicle and to pass a criminal background check. More information about requirements, and a volunteer application form, can be found here.
Hotchkiss mentions new volunteers will also be provided with 30 hours of in-class and 30 hours of online training on being victim-centred and trauma-informed.
“We provide training on how to support someone who has experienced a sudden death, whether that is through natural causes, or perhaps a homicide or a suicide,” said Hotchkiss. “We also provide lots of training for supporting for someone after an assault, like a sexual assault, and how to support someone through a crime of tragic circumstance.”
Once more comfortable with the role, volunteers can go on to become team leaders. To become a team leader, volunteers are given further training by Victim Services Wellington.
“They’re so dedicated and they love giving back to the community,” said Hotchkiss about those who currently volunteer.
