Victim Support Kent is currently recruiting new volunteers across the county to help provide practical and emotional support to those affected by crime.

The charity, which is KentOnline, kmfm and KMTV's chosen charity of the year, which is based in Ashford are looking for volunteers who can offer four hours a week or more to support victims of a variety of crimes during national volunteer's week.

Offences committed against people who need help could be things like burglary, harassment, fraud, assault, stalking and even hate crime.

Scroll down to listen to David Naylor from Victim Support talk about recruiting volunteers

Volunteers’ week runs from today until Friday, June 7.

David Naylor, contract manager in Kent said: “Our volunteers are an integral part of our team.

"They all receive specialist training to enable them to support those affected by crime to begin to rebuild their lives.

“This is a very varied role as our services are always led by our clients and what they need to help them through this difficult time.

"This can range from regular meetings offering emotional support through to helping with practical matters such as liaising with the police, supporting someone through the criminal justice system or ensuring they feel safe by providing better home security or personal alarms.

“Crime can have a devastating impact and the fallout can be stressful and overwhelming.

"We know from speaking to thousands of victims of crime every year that it can be difficult to talk about what’s happened or to ask for help and our volunteers are a real lifeline for people, when they need it most.”

Patricia Taylor who volunteers for the charity added: "When I was looking for volunteering opportunities in my area I came across Victim Support and was very impressed by the service they offer to people who have been affected by crime and that’s how I got involved.

“Victim Support really look after their volunteers.

"The training they give to volunteers is excellent - they make sure you have all the tools and the support to carry out your role with confidence.

"There’s a great support network between the volunteers and the managers and you’re always learning new skills.

“It’s a very rewarding role and really helps to develop you as a person.

"You can take specialist training in crime types such as domestic abuse, and you learn a lot.”

Victim Support will be interviewing potential new candidates from this month, so if you are interested in becoming one, call Sue Clark on 01233 896425 or email kentvolunteering@victimsupport.org.uk

As well as the recruitment campaign, another project also starts tomorrow and will run until Thursday, July 25.

The Victim Support Hate Crime Art Project is a series of free creative workshops at four locations across Kent.

The workshops which are being held in Margate, Gravesend, Chatham and Folkstone will be an opportunity for people to go along and hear about the services the charity offers to victims of crime and get support if they need it.

The artwork completed by people who attend the workshops will be shown at a gallery in Gravesend for several days.

Hate Crime is a growing issue, and just a few days ago it was revealed race hate crimes on children in the county was at a three-year high.

An investigation by NSPCC found more than 300 race hate offences were been committed against children in the county during the last year.

Scroll down to listen to Liz Pallister from Victim Support talk about the project

Police recorded 302 offences in 2017/18, including some victims who were toddlers and babies, which means there were almost six a week in the county during the period.

The art project has come about as a result of the growning issue and the fact.

Kent Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott has funded a one year Hate Crime Advocate project at Victim Support in order to provide a bespoke service to people affected by it.

The art project will enable people to respond to their experiences in a non-verbal way and show how wide-ranging the effects of hate crime can be.

Anyone who has been affected by hate crime can get involved and the first workshop is being held at the Quarterdeck Youth Centre, Zion Place, Margate from 10am to 2pm tomorrow (JUNE 1).

The second will be held on Saturday, June 15 in The Snug at Gravesend Borough Market in collaboration with the Gravesend Fusion Festival from 10am to 4pm.

The third will be held on Saturday, June 29 at the Nucleus Arts Café in Chatham High Street, from 10am to 2pm.

The last one will be held on Saturday, July 13, at the Quarter House, Tontine Street, Folkestone from 2pm to 5pm.

The artwork will then be presented anonymously at an exhibition at the Blake Gallery at Gravesend Borough Council Civic Centre in Windmill Street, Gravesend from Friday, July 19 from 6.30pm to 9.30pm for the private viewings and then will be on show to the public from Monday, July 22 to Thursday, July 25, from 9am to 5pm.

For more information, call 01233 896429 or email elizabeth.pallister@victimsupport.org.uk

For more details about the charity’s work and if you need support call 0808 1689276, when the local office is closed call 0808 1689111 or visit www.victimsupport.org.uk.