Appropriate Adult Service on duty at Christmas
Staff and volunteers across Brandon Trust work to support people with learning disabilities in a huge variety of ways. Most of the support that they provide is required 365 days a year. The appropriate adult team, which Brandon is involved with as part of the National Appropriate Adult Network, provides immediate and independent support to vulnerable adults who've been detained or interviewed by police.
The team and its fabulous volunteers will be on call throughout the Christmas period to support vulnerable people in custody across the Avon and Somerset force area. It's a busy team, taking in excess of 135 calls a month, covering the police centres in Keynsham (B&NES) and Patchway (Bristol).
They’re always looking to recruit new volunteers, especially those able to cover Patchway Police Centre.
Full training is provided for volunteers, including a full day induction to the role plus eLearning. You’ll also attend a custody tour, and have many other development opportunities open to you.
Sue, who was volunteering with the scheme last Christmas said:
"It was different being on call as an appropriate adult volunteer, last year as it was my first Christmas following retirement from working with people with learning disabilities for the previous 38 years.
"I received a call to attend Patchway Police Centre custody suite on Boxing Day at 11.30am to support an individual with mental health issues. The process took approximately one-and-a-half hours. The atmosphere at Patchway was very relaxed, as seasonal as the nature of the establishment would allow!"
Further information
Use the links below to find out more about the Appropriate Adult Scheme and how you can get involved:
www.brandontrust.org/get-involved/volunteering/appropriate-adult-scheme/
