We’re delighted to announce that we are developing a new service for witnesses and victims whose mental health and wellbeing has been impacted by a crime. The service is being commissioned for three years by the Office for Police and Crime Commissioner. Our person-centred telephone support aims to aid individuals to improve their wellbeing and resilience.  

From April 2023, we will deliver short-term telephone support, including techniques to help with relaxation, stress and anxiety management. Anyone living in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, who has been affected by a crime, is eligible to access the Victim and Witness Hub services. Our Victim and Witness Support Service will be available for adult victims and witnesses whose mental health has been impacted by crime, who have received a referral from the Victim and Support hub. 

It will provide expertise and trauma-informed support in line with the victim’s or witnesses needs, to increase resilience and improve wellbeing. Plus, our Victim and Witness Support Facilitators will have access to a ‘toolbox’ of self-help resources around issues such as managing anxiety, low mood, stress management, sleep problems and ‘grounding’ techniques. 

 Hannah Turner, Head of Services for local Mental Health Charity CPSL Mind, said, “We are really excited to be working on this project alongside the Victim and Witness Hub. We recognise it is so important for individuals to be able to manage their feelings and reclaim their lives after experiencing a crime and we look forward to providing the much-needed support.”

The three-year contract was Launched by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Police and Crime Commissioner, Darryl Preston. Darryl said, “We know that crime can have a devastating impact on emotional and psychological wellbeing in the short and long-term.  

He goes onto add, “It is vital these difficulties are identified and resolved as early as possible to give people the best opportunity to rebuild their lives and avoid crisis.”