Police Veterans Victoria last week ran another dedicated training course for its Veteran Peer Support Officers (VPSOs).
Rebecca Lynch, PVV’s resident social worker, spoke to the important role VPSOs play in assisting police veterans and the strategies used to do so: active listening, containing the narrative, validation and shared experience.
VPSOs are Victoria Police Veterans who provide support to other police veterans and their families who may be dealing with personal issues, need to talk, or are seeking someone to confide in.
This is achieved by having one-on-one conversations with veterans, actively listening and assessing their situation and providing non-clinical advice where appropriate.
“They are committed, trained volunteers who care and are there to help,” Rebecca said.
“The support available through our VPSO’s is invaluable and can play a very important role in a veteran’s wellbeing.”
PVV’s recent partnership with Crown Resorts was announced on the day with reference to Crown’s sponsorship of the VPSO program.
PVV as a result of the partnership is now able to provide a hardship fund and reimburse VPSO’s for their out of pocket fees when providing support.
Interested in becoming a VPSO? You could help make a real difference to the lives of Victoria Police veterans and their families.
Visit the Get Involved page on our website here for more information.
