Desperately seeking trauma support members

Heads of department and line managers have been asked to nominate staff members they think would be willing to help as UCT immediate support response team members.

People willing to become trauma response team members will be trained during a two-day course (November 17-18), given by a professional trauma response practitioner. They will also have two-monthly supervisory or support meetings.

UCT staff who display the following criteria would be eligible for nomination: capacity to care; mature/assertive; possesses coping skills; calm and confident demeanour; lives close to campus; has a cellphone; prepared to be on call; prepared to learn new skills; prepared to work as part of a team; and able to maintain confidentiality.

Organisational health manager Ottoline Clapham said trauma response team members could be called to assist at work-related traumatic or violent situations, on- or off-campus. "They would assess the situation, contain the trauma victim and/or witnesses, offer support and refer them for appropriate professional counselling."

If you know of suitable candidates, or if you would like to volunteer your services, contact Clapham on 650-2154 or e-mail oclapham@bremner.uct.ac.za as as soon as possible.