Covid-19 Update
Covid-19
The service has remained operational throughout the pandemic and lockdown and people are free to make referrals for support.
We are looking to re-open face to face therapy for children at the beginning of August, and are in the process of making the building COVID secure and contacting clients to organise resuming support we could not deliver safely through telephone and webcam.
Telephone/Webcam Support
There will be some clients that may feel unable or uneasy about using the telephone, and as it is a confidential space, clients need to set aside a private space for themselves to focus on the session. We would urge clients to try it initially and discuss concerns with their counsellor, and then decide.
We understand with schools being closed it may not be possible for all clients to have a private space, and may need to consider childcare for a short period to go ahead. If someone is unable to work on the telephone, we will pause therapy and continue once the advice from Public Health England has shifted. Nobody will lose their place with their therapist.
CH/ISVA Clients
The ISVA’s will be available on the telephone as per people’s care and contact plan. There may be some delays with Court Cases and Investigations and we will update everyone with as much information as we are able to.
Covid-19
Covid-19
To reduce the risk to clients (travelling to the premises, passing through the building) and staff we have agreed to close the premises for a two week period and work with clients over the telephone.
We are actively contacting clients in order of the day of their appointment to discuss the move to telephone working. There are over 100 active therapy clients at this time, and we are managing our resources to make contact with each client – if you wish to cancel your appointment please ring us – otherwise we will be in touch to discuss the options with you.
Telephone Support
There will be some clients that may feel unable or uneasy about using the telephone, and as it is a confidential space, clients need to set aside a private space for themselves to focus on the session. We would urge clients to try it initially and discuss concerns with their counsellor, and then decide.
We understand with schools being closed it may not be possible for all clients to have a private space, and may need to consider childcare for a short period to go ahead. If someone is unable to work on the telephone, we will pause therapy and continue once the advice from Public Health England has shifted. Nobody will lose their place with their therapist.
CH/ISVA Clients
The ISVA’s will be available on the telephone as per people’s care and contact plan. There may be some delays with Court Cases and Investigations and we will update everyone with as much information as we are able to.
Child Therapy
It may not be safe to offer support over the telephone to some people aged under 18, and the therapists will review each case individually and be in touch. There are additional pressures with siblings being off school/childcare and it may be more practical to pause therapy at this point.
Drasacs Story of 2018
The last 12 months saw our service helping more people than in any previous year.
DRASACS Open Day
DRASACS is hosting an Open Day as part of the ‘National Safeguarding Week’ on Thursday 12th July
The event is a ‘Drop In’ between 10am and 2pm and is is targeted at professionals who may signpost people into the service. It will give people an opportunty to explore the building and find out more of the range of services on offer, and speak to some counsellors, Advocates and other members of the team.
For further information, and to ensure we can manage the number of attendees please e-mail: admin@drasacs.org.uk
DRASACS Open Day
DRASACS is hosting an Open Day as part of the ‘National Safeguarding Week’ on Thursday 12th July
The event is a ‘Drop In’ between 10am and 2pm and is is targeted at professionals who may signpost people into the service. It will give people an opportunty to explore the building and find out more of the range of services on offer, and speak to some counsellors, Advocates and other members of the team.
For further information, and to ensure we can manage the number of attendees please e-mail: admin@drasacs.org.uk
Emma’s Story – Children & Young People’s Service
One of our clients kindly agreed to share their story as part of the Children in Need campaign in November 2016. The words are the clients own, actors have been used in the video and sound to preserve the clients anonymity.
A big thank-you to Emma (not her real name) for sharing her story, and we hope that other people find it as inspirational as the team at DRASACS do.
DRASACS Childrens Counselling Service (Space4Me) is funded through BBC Children in Need – for more details please click here
Video Credit: BBC Look North
July Open Day
DRASACS Open Day
There was a great attendance at our open day on 9th July and we were pleased to be able to show so many people the counselling and advocacy work that goes on inside DRASACS.
The civic mayor was also able to attend the event, pictured here with Manager Kevin Hill, Senior Counsellor Joan and ISVA Karl.
Safeguarding Adults – Keeping Safe Campaign
Empowering Adults to Protect Themselves from Abuse
Doncaster Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board have launched an initiative to empower adults to protect themselves from abuse.
Everyone has the right to be safe, respected and to be heard, and if you see something, say something.
A short film is available at www.doncaster.gov.uk/safeguardingfilm which also includes the number for the Emergencey Social Services Team (01302 737391).
DRASACS is here to support people who have been impacted by sexual abuse, and you can find out more how to access our services here.
Doncaster CVS Awards
DONCASTER CVS REWARDS COMMUNITY & VOLUNTARY STARS
Over 200 people attend AGM and awards event at the Keepmoat
Doncaster CVS has celebrated its 71st anniversary and recognised the stars on the town’s voluntary and community sector with its second annual awards event at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Over 200 people from across South Yorkshire attended the organisation’s AGM and Community & Voluntary Sector Awards event sponsored by accountants, Smith Craven and media partners, Sine FM and the Doncaster Free Press.
Explains Norma Wardman, director of Doncaster CVS: “We’ve been at the core of Doncaster’s thriving community and voluntary sector for 71 years and it was fantastic to welcome a record number of people to our AGM and Awards today.
“Our second Community & Voluntary Sector Awards have brought together so many of Doncaster’s community groups, social enterprises and volunteers to celebrate their incredible achievements. We received 74 nominations this year and every single one deserved an award, the judges had a very tough job this year selecting the winners!”
The winners of the Doncaster CVS Community & Voluntary Sector Awards 2014 are as follows:
- Social Enterprise of the Year – sponsored by Business Doncaster
Austerfield Study Centre - Community Group of the Year – voted by Doncaster Free Press readers
Cavy Corner Guinea Pig Sanctuary - Registered Charity of the Year – sponsored by Taylor Bracewell
Doncaster Rape & Sexual Abuse Counselling Service (DRASACS)
- Senior Volunteer of the Year – sponsored by Age UK
Florence Hankinson from DIAL - Young Volunteer – sponsored by BDO
Hannah Sigsworth from Doncaster Rape & Sexual Abuse Counselling Service
- Training Provider of the Year – sponsored by Doncaster Chamber
Ignition Autos Community Garage & Training Centre - Most Inspiring Individual – sponsored by Doncaster Mind
Sue Rose - Most Inspiring Organisation – sponsored by Beta Technology
Artistic Spectrum - Most Innovative Project – sponsored by IFS Corporate Solutions
Ignition Autos Community Garage & Training Centre - Lifetime Achievement Award – sponsored by Doncaster CVS
Jan Milner
Charity to Support Male Victims of Rape and Sexual Abuse
DRASACS to offer specific male survivors drop-in sessions
Doncaster Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service (DRASACS) have launched a free drop-in service specifically designed to support male victims of rape and sexual abuse.
Funded by the Big Lottery, the new, fortnightly service is the idea of DRASACS’s counsellor, Caren Horsfield, who has identified a distinct gap in this particular area of men’s health in Doncaster.
Explains Caren: “1 in 6 men in the UK have experienced rape or sexual abuse in their lives. These men have to overcome the numerous barriers that prevent them from coming forward and those barriers are often very different to those faced by women.
“Many feel that if they’ve been abused as a child, they’ll automatically be viewed as a perpetrator. Many men have relationship issues and are frightened of getting close to their children or even having children with their partner. This impacts hugely on their everyday lives as, over time, they become isolated and unable to cope.”
Continues Caren: “During my 14 years at DRASACS I’ve worked with many men to offer counselling and support and delivered a counselling service for male survivors within a custodial setting where these same issues arise time and time again.
“Through my work, I understand that men often don’t want therapeutic sessions, they want peer support and general socialisation with other men who feel the same as they do. The drop in provides an ideal way to do just that.
“Group therapy is not what we will offer in these informal drop-in sessions. It’s not necessarily about disclosure; it’s about offering a supportive, confidential environment in which members can negotiate their needs from the drop in with each other in a respectful and self-responsible way. Members can attend as often as they wish and there is no charge. If at any point they feel they require any counselling on a one-to-one basis or group therapy we can provide that”.
Adds Kevin Hill, manager at DRASACS: “We are working to bust the myths that only women and girls can be victims of sexual violence, and that coping alone is not the only option. I would encourage anyone who has been impacted by sexual violence to seek support either in groups or through individual counselling that is available at DRASACS.”
Concludes Caren: “I want to appeal to any men who have experienced rape or sexual abuse, or anyone who knows any man who identifies with any of these issues, to get in touch because we really can help to break the silence and change lives.”
For more information on the new male drop-in sessions, visit drasacs.org.uk, call 01302 360421 or email: info@drasacs.org.uk
All calls and emails are treated as private and confidential.
Ends.
Press enquiries: Kirsten Howells, Tel: 0114 213 2006 or email: kh@theblackeyeproject.co.uk