A University criminal justice student has been supporting the rehabilitation of offenders back into the Medway community as a volunteer with Kent Probation Service.
Andrea Rae, who is in the final year of her BA Criminal Justice Studies at the University’s Medway campus, has spent the last ten months volunteering as a mentor to offenders needing resettlement.
As well clocking up some 281 hours of volunteering for the Kent Probation Service, Andrea has also worked with the Kenward Trust, based in Yalding. She is one of 45 University student volunteers who give their time freely to work at charities, not-for-profit organisations and small businesses in the Medway and wider Kent area.
She said: ‘I’m thoroughly enjoying my volunteering because it feels as if I am really making a difference working with offenders to help them integrate and settle back into the community. Our aim is to provide the right support to prevent re-offending and make our community a safer place.
‘I’ve gained confidence in my own skills over the past ten months and have gained valuable insights into the way the criminal justice system works.’
As a mentor, Andrea meets with clients once a week to provide help and support in a variety of areas including housing and benefits.
Kent Probation Service is one of 35 Probation Trusts across England and Wales. Trusts receive funding from the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) to which they are accountable for their performance and delivery. Probation trusts are responsible for overseeing offenders released from prison on licence and those on community sentences made by judges and magistrates in the courts.
Jan Thompson, Volunteer Manager at Kent Probation Service, said: ‘Kent Probation volunteers make a real difference to the lives of offenders and play a vital role in helping us to reduce reoffending.
‘Volunteers may meet with offenders for a coffee and a chat to support them through their orders or licences, help support them to attend probation appointments or provide assistance with accommodation issues.
‘The type of work they do contributes to the seven reducing re-offending pathways and adds value to the work we carry out. While the work can be challenging it is also incredibly rewarding and it can give volunteers new skills and life experiences.’
David Coldwell, University Medway campus Volunteering and Skills Development Coordinator, said: ‘Here at the University of Kent we pride ourselves on making a difference in the local community and one way we can achieve this is through our student volunteering programme.
‘Last year, Medway students recorded over 5000 hours of volunteering, the majority of which were within the community. This year that figure has already been exceeded.’
Andrea is studying for her degree within the University’s School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research.
Press contact: M.J.Herrema@kent.ac.uk