Community Safety Project (Cardiff & Vale of Glamorgan)

SVC’s ‘Community Safety Project’ is a long-standing partnership project, working with organisations across Cardiff & the Vale of Glamorgan including; South Wales Police, Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Unite Students, FOR Cardiff, Critical Arc and the Police and Crime Commissioner

Aims of the project:

• To provide services looking at reducing vulnerability, with a particular focus on the night time economy in Cardiff.
• Provide advice and guidance to community members & residents on how to keep themselves, their homes and their property safe.
• Engage with the local community and work towards a positive relationship between the community and South Wales Police.

Volunteer Role:

• Work alongside other volunteers and a Police Officer on our ‘Safety Bus’. The Bus is active on Wednesday (term time), Friday & Saturday nights. Volunteers and the officer will respond to calls from venues across the city and support vulnerable individuals to a place of safety including; A&E, the Alcohol Treatment Centre, University Accommodation or their current residence.
• Support community members at Bike Marking Drop-Ins with registering their bikes to the national Bike Register system, and provide advice on how to reduce bike theft.
• Provide crime prevention advice to residents through door-knocking exercises in the local community.
• Welcome events: welcoming students back to the city during the ‘Freshers’ period, providing a friendly welcome and providing crime prevention support and advice.
• Other ad-hoc opportunities; previous opportunities have included role-play opportunities for emergency preparedness teams, working with Cardiff Council’s taxi licensing team etc.

Training & Support:

We ensure that all volunteers are fully trained and equipped with support to undertake their volunteer roles, including;

• Conflict Management Training
• First Aid Training
• Project Specific Induction Training
• Radio & Customer Service Training
• Other training opportunities include; suicide prevention, body-cam training, drug & alcohol awareness training etc.

The project is coordinated by Emma from the SVC team, and a member of South Wales Police student liaison team and they will support you throughout your time on the project.

What we need from you:

• Applicants complete an expression of interest form: Expression of Interest 
• Complete the Application Pack including; vetting form and application forms – you will be provided with guidance on how to complete the application pack. The pack will be sent to you via email when applications open, if you don’t receive anything, this will be because recruitment isn’t open.
• Attend the required training; conflict management, first aid and project specific induction.
• Regular commitment:
  • Community volunteers are required to volunteer 8 hours per month across the calendar year
  • Student volunteers are required to volunteer 12 hours per month across the academic year.
    • For context, one safety bus shift is 10 hours.
  • We also understand that availability fluctuates throughout the year e.g exam period, family needs etc – we just ask that you maintain regular contact with your coordinator! 😊

We tend to recruit 2 x per year, so please keep an eye out on our social media for when recruitment opens!

If you have any questions about the project, please contact Emma on: e.dixon@svcymru.org