HBF

Created by: Maddy
Created on: 05-03-20 12:53

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Helen Bamber
- Why would you like to do a work placement with HBF?
  - Although I have a lot of work experience, and some of it is relevant to criminology, I have never worked in a professional working environment in the criminology field. I hope to work in counter-trafficking in the future and I know that that is one of the many sectors within HBF. I am enthusiastic about helping survivors of human cruelty to become free and healthy and working with a charity would be extremely rewarding. I would really like to learn more about the process involved within Helen Bamber, so the 3 step process of stabilisation, intervention and integration and be as involved in the charity as possible.
- What do you expect to gain from the work experience module?
  - I expect to gain valuable experience that will benefit my work in the placement, work in future careers and my degree. I would gain knowledge on many different field, such as legal, therapy, counter-trafficking, welfare and housing, integration and medical advisory. I would gain an understandingworking life in a professional environment, as well as a network of industry professionals. I believe that having the experience community an hour to and from work will be really beneficial, as well as having an understanding of the sensitivity a career in criminology can have. Also, the feedback gained from the placement provider as part of the assessment would be realistic and authentic and help me improve on my weaknesses for the future.
- How does the placement link to your academic studies?
  - In all of my current modules we discuss crime, the criminal justice system, offenders and victims, although I found that the HBF refer to their clients as survivors rather than victims which i found much more positive. Also, I am currently part of the Inside Out prison exchange programme for one of my modules this term and the inside students that we learn with may be survivors of cruelty or could have caused it themselves. Next year I have applied to do the Women, power, crime and justice module and within this we look into war and gender-based violence, which I know that some of your clients have experienced. Last term I wrote an essay for psychology looking into PTSD of violent offenders and victims (or survivors) and I read that a lot of your clients suffer from this. Also, I am considering writing a dissertation regarding sex-trafficking and how this occurs but obviously I wouldn't be using the placement for vouyerism but just as this is the area I am interested in investigating further. And this is a unique way of learning rather than having a lecture/ seminar format and exams and essays.
- What skills and knowledge can I bring to the work placement?
  - I can bring a passion for helping others. I am determined in everything I do and because of this I am extremely self-motivated. I have an open-mind and I am understandingthe fact that everyone is unique and comes from different backgrounds and no-one should be judged because of their differences. I am extremely reliable and organised, I have always maintained 100% attendance throughout school and University as I feel that if you are lucky enough to gain an education then you should make the most of it so I really willing to learn. I am confident and so I have leadership skills. I use my initiative and work well in teams. I can maintain professional boundaries and I listen and communicate well. Also, I have experience with sensitive and confidential matters, which would be beneficial with the HBF.
- What are HBF aims and objectives?
  - HB aims to empower their clients to live independently in the community trough providing skills and opportunities to rebuild self-esteem and see-reliance. I know that education, employability, life skills and creative arts programs are all offered, as well as the happy baby community if any asylum seekers or refugees may require this. A large focus is on integration back into society and helping them feel that they belong in the community. HB aim to create a model of care for the survivors of human cruelty, so individually tailored programmes in the hope that they can navigate through future everyday life. I know that they have help through counter-trafficking, welfare and housing, therapy, legal protection, medical advisory service and integration.
- Who uses HBF?
  - Survivors of human cruelty, such as refugees and asylum seekers. Those who have suffered from state torture, human-trafficking, war, gender-based violence, religious or political persecution, etc. The most vulnerable and marginalised people in society from over 90 countries and face ongoing problems, such as flashbacks and nightmares.
- What are HBF services?
  - HBF has been a human rights charity since 2005 and has extensive experience working with survivors of human cruelty, such as physical, sexual and psychological violence. HBF offers survivors access to individually tailored programmes of specialist psychological care and physical rehabilitation activities, alongside employability, education, creative arts and life skills, and the happy baby community. There is a 3 stage process involves, which is stabilisation, intervention and integration. They are decimated to ensuring that clients are free and healthy and safe and protected. That they are able to reintegrate into society and contribute to communities.
- What volunteering experience do you have?
  - I have a few volunteering experiences. Firstly, a few years ago I volunteered at and Animal rescue centre that cared for animal who had suffered from human cruelty. This included dogs, cats and horses and created individually tailored plans that could help them until they were able to be adopted. I have also been volunteering as a dog walker around the greenwich area in my spare time for the last year. Finally, I was a volunteer assessor for the Universities student ambassador assessment day, which meant that I had to assess multiple group of potential ambassadors and score their abilities and then inform them whether they were successful or not.
- When have you experienced dealing with sensitive or confidential information?
  - I have actually had quite a few experiences of this but most recently is when I became a 'Greenwich Friends' Mentor. This involves mentoring students who are care leavers, so have come from care or have been in care at some point. Many of them have had traumatic life experiences and the statistics for care leavers coming to University is extremely low. They can contact me with any concerns or questions and can talk to me about anything they wish to and it is completely confidential and can sometimes be sensitive topics. Unless I feel that someone is in danger, it stays between myself and the mentee. (can also discuss inside out or animal rescue)
- What admin experiences do you have?
  - I worked on the reception desk of a restaurant, taking phone calls and making bookings, as well as creating customers as they entered and managing the cloakroom. I also did some Admin training as part of one of my GCSE qualifications, although that was a while back. And with my Student Ambassador assessment centre I did a lot of administrative work. (Explain if not previously mentioned)
- When have you worked well in a team?
  - I have had many experiences working well in teams but one more recent time that comes to mind was a few weeks ago during an Inside Out class (explain what this is if haven't already). We were put into groups and given a topic to debate of regarding sex work. Our group were asked to debate for the legalisation of sex work. This was difficult as half of the group were in agreeance with the legalisation and half were not, particularly due to religious beliefs. As a team we had to discuss reason for and help each other to leave other beliefs behind for the debate. During the debate we all helped one another with what points to make and we actually did really well as a group. (can also talk about any student ambassador shift)
- When have you faced a barrier and overcome it?
  - During my time at school I always felt like I was quite intellectual and did really well in my GCSE's so when doing my Levels I believed I'd do well again. On my AS results day I found out that I nearly failed both of the AS Levels I had taken, the other 2 were linear so didn't require an AS. I had to have a meeting with my head of Year to discuss whether I should continue with them as I could fail my A Levels. I decided to drop Chemistry and take on a BTEC Science 2 year course in 1 year. I stayed at school everyday until 6pm and I achieved a D* overall and did well in the other 3 A Levels I did.
- When have you shown leadership skills?
  - For the Student Ambassador assessment Day I showed leadership skills as I had to assess other students abilities to present and then explain to them whether they were success or not (if already used talk about Student Ambassador AccomodationTours).
- When have you shown initiative?
  - At the beginning of September last year there was welcome week for The School of Law. I worked for the Student Ambassador team that day and had to give everyone a name sticker and give everyone different goodies, such as a bag, a mug, a pen, etc. However, only 2 students were working so when the law welcome talk finished, all students came rushing out and we ha a really long queue. We decided that everyone should take the goodies and then we would go to their welcome lunch and call out their names for the stickers as there were over 100 names to get through and the room was needed by another faculty. This worked really well and was sorted quickly.
- When have you had experience in managing workloads?
  - Over the last 5 years I have actually had 3 part-time jobs at once on many occasions.These jobs are alongside school or University, as well as hobbies such as dancing and the gym. I have always kept on top of workloads throughout this. If I ever felt that it was too much I have managed my hours or been organised and planned my workloads out to see how best I can do work.
- How would you explain diversity?
  - Understandingthat everyone is unique and comes from different backgrounds, for example gender, religion, age, ethnicity, class, etc. Being inclusive of everyone and not discriminating against these differences.Also, it is a human right to not be discriminated against and you are a human rights charity so diversity is involved.
- How would you manage your feelings doing this type of work?
  - I have experience in this type of work and i have always tried to keep it separate from my personal life. I think you have to try not to be too emotionally invested and understanding that you are helping people and it is rewarding to do this.
- What do you know about human rights and safeguarding?
  - I know that 2 main human rights in relation to HBF is the prohibition or torture and the prohibition of slavery and forced labour. As a human rights charity you make sure that this are ensured. Safegaurding is essentially protecting people from harm or damage and involves empowerment, preventing harm from occurring, protecting health, wellbeing and human rights, reducing risks and making them safe from abuse and neglect.
- What experiences have you had in maintaining professional relationships and boundaries?
  - I have a mentor from the Ministry of Justice as part of the Universities JUMP programme so we email and meet occasionally and this is a professional relationship with boundaries. We are friendly but we are not friends. This is similar to the Inside Out programme and Greenwich Friends as for both of this we discuss sometimes personal matters and we may know each other really well but it is professional and we do not over step any boundaries set and we are always professional and we don't meet 'out of hours' or socialise with friends.
- Do you have any questions for us?
  - Yes I do thank you. I was wondering if there was any training provided as part of the placement and if so what it would entail? Also, during the placement presentation I remember hearing that you get around 60 referrals a month but can only take on 8, I was wondering what the process of closing which 8 to take on is? (If more questions needed) How do students tend to split their hours? What are students day to day roles, as I remember some of the placement roles involve counter-trafficking, welfare and housing and legal advice?I read on the latest blog about welfare and housing that the clients only have 28 days to get accomodation, i was just wondering why only 28 days is available?

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