Update on Volunteering at FRASAC
Volunteering with FRASAC gives our volunteers the opportunity to be part of this specialised service helping to support the survivors of sexual abuse in Fife.
We have 14 new volunteers joining FRASAC in the coming months, 6 of them joining the centre this week.
All volunteers joining us have successfully completed our FRASAC in-house training with courses and topics covered such as:
- What is Gender Based Violence?
- Rape and Sexual Assault
- Childhood Sexual Abuse
- Ritual Abuse
- Trauma
An increase in volunteers helps to reduce our waiting list meaning clients do not have to wait so long before engaging with one of our support workers. Working with volunteers greatly compliments FRASAC and the support we provide.
Volunteers support FRASAC by giving their time freely with no financial gain and this is because they truly believe in and feel passionate about supporting survivors which is such a benefit to FRASAC.
Volunteering is an amazing opportunity as volunteers take part in our in-house training which is great for personal development and adding to their knowledge, background and skill set.
We are happy to welcome and encourage volunteers from all genders and backgrounds to join our team. We also offer different times including evenings which allows volunteers who otherwise could not have volunteered in the normal 9-5 day. This is extremely beneficial as gives our clients the opportunity to be supported out with the normal working day.
When job vacancies arise within the organisation, our volunteers are also actively encouraged to apply to become paid members of our team. Four of our current paid staff support workers started as volunteers.
At the moment we have our full complement of volunteers but if this is something you would be interested in, please contact us at info@frasac.org.uk and our Volunteer Co-Ordinator Adriana will be in touch.
Christmas Update 2022
Well, what a whirl wind of a year it has been for us at FRASAC!
Logo rebranding, increased staff, increase and change of funding, change of management structure, new BOD members, and a big volunteer recruitment drive and training at the end of this year.
We had to start 2022 with our waiting list closed but we are so pleased to say that not only were we able to re-open our waiting list for new referrals, we can currently offer clients a first appointment within 4-8 weeks (depending on availability) thanks to the hard work of our staff team.
We have lost a few great team members throughout the year who have moved on to new roles and we wish them well! We have also gained some amazing new team members along the way – recruitment has been an ongoing theme with us this year.
With the growth in team members has come our growth and participation within the community. A few of the events we have attended this year include: What Were You Wearing Exhibit, Fife College Fresher’s Fayers, 16 Days of Activism, Reclaim the Night March, and Alcohol Awareness Week to name a few. And this is just the beginning, we are looking forward to working with more partnership agencies and the community in the New Year to continue to strive and spread the word of the amazing support and work our staff provide.
Although Covid has not left us, we are learning how to live with the virus and have made progress in the ways in which we work to enable us to keep supporting our staff and clients within the ever-changing Government guidelines
We finished off the year with our AGM and staff vision day at Pettycur Bay very recently. It was so lovely to get to sit with all the team members, BOD members, volunteers and guests. To be able to all come together in the same room for the first time in two years was great. Everyone appreciated the venue and the view – it was a cracking day!
Our office closes to clients and referrals on Thursday 22nd December at 5pm and re-opens on Wednesday 4th January at 8.30am. Our website has loads of information and resources and please remember the Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline will be open daily from 5pm – midnight. They can be reached on 08088 01 03 02. Also, the SARCS self-referral helpline will remain available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week over the festive period. You can phone this dedicated phone line and speak to a specially trained healthcare professional who can arrange the care you might need in the days after experiencing rape or sexual assault. The number is 0800 148 88 88.
Sexual health services including advice on emergency contraception are available during the holidays, all the information can be found at Sexual Health | NHS Fife
We don’t know what 2023 will bring for us, but what we do know is that we will be here to help support survivors of sexual violence. From all of us at FRASAC have a safe and gentle Christmas and New Year.
FRASAC & KASP Newsletter Summer 2022
This summer, jointly with KASP (Kingdom Abuse Survivors Project) we published our newly revamped newsletter!
We thought this would be a fantastic opportunity for us to share the changes within FRASAC and KASP and an excellent way to update our partner agencies and services.
We are so excited to be able to share the summer edition of our newsletter with you. The summer edition summarises some of the recent changes and runs with this theme for KASP too. There is also a really informative article written by Barbara-Ann Robb, Gender Based Violence Nurse Co-Ordinator regarding the new Self-Referral Process within Fife.
Our newsletter can be viewed below via Sway:
Watch this space for the next edition of our newsletter. If you would like to sign up to receive our newsletter directly to your inbox, please email us at info@frasac.org.uk stating 'sign me up!'
Are you looking for a volunteering opportunity?
At FRASAC we have the following open opportunities:
- Volunteer Sexual Violence Support Worker (you do not need a counselling degree or counselling experience to volunteer for this position)
- Volunteer Counsellor
- Trainee Counsellor (Student Counsellor in Placement)
To start volunteering with us, all that is required is you to complete a Volunteering Form and return it to us by Friday 30th September, attend an interview and attend all six training sessions throughout October, November and December.
We Need:
- Empathic and Non-Judgmental Volunteers
- 12 Months Commitment
- Good Boundaries
- Independent Volunteering
- Ability to give Listening Support
- Commitment to Personal Supervision, Group Supervision & Line Supervision
If you have any questions please get in touch and we would be happy to have a chat and discuss if this is the right opportunity for you! Call Adriana our Volunteer Co-Ordinator on 01592 642336.
Applicants from a diverse background are encouraged to apply!
The deadline to submit your form is Friday 30th September. Volunteer Training is scheduled to begin on Saturday 29th October (10am – 4pm) to run for six weeks.
All Volunteering Training will be delivered at our High Street Office - 189A High Street, Kirkcaldy from 10am - 4pm and proposed dates are as follows:
29th October | 5th November | 12th November | 19th November | 26th November | 3rd December 2022
If you feel this opportunity is right for you, please request a Volunteering Form by emailing us at info@frasac.org.uk
We would really appreciate it you would share our volunteering opportunities with anyone you think may be interested!
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