BARNSLEY Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Service (BSARCS) has been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley award in the Community Group category.
BSARCS was nominated by member of staff Amy Hitchcock on behalf of staff and the client group, who say the charity's approach is exceptional.
The organisation has long been a lifeline for those who need additional support after experiencing sexual violence both in Barnsley and across the county. The charity, which is based at The Core on County Way, is one of the only organisations allowed to work with the 1,400 Rotherham sexual abuse victims uncovered in the Jay report, providing counselling and additional support to those who need it.
Amy Hitchcock, who nominated the charity on behalf of staff and clients, said: "BSARCS has support groups which are a continued lifeline for those who no longer attend counselling, members are asked for their opinions when needed to make sure everything BSARCS does has the client at the heart.
"Everyone in the team is happy to get involved if and when they are needed to.
"Clients are not just a number in a book, they are important."
Lynne Casserly, BSARCS development manager, said: "We begin where other services normally end and recognise there is a need for further support and specialist support. "We believe that if we train our staff well and treat everyone as equals, this knowledge and approach will be passed on to our clients.
"We don't see any difference between people here. "If we train someone well we feel it is good for Barnsley, and even if they leave us, we consider it to be a success for the community as a whole that we have given that person those skills.
"We listen well to staff and the client group.
"We haven't had many if any of our team leave us, so we must be doing something right to keep them with us for such a long time. "It means the client group coming through don't have to deal with different people."
As an expert in its field, the charity provides training and support to the police, council services, social care services, youth offending teams and secondary schools, in order to help staff cope with issues encountered as a result of sexual abuse and rape.
BSARCS is one of the only charities able to work with multiple agencies and provides a holistic service, advocating on behalf of its clients, thanks to its independent status.
Lynne said: "We try where we can to tailor our service and make sure that Barnsley people get a consistent service. "Our staff are all well qualified in their field and we offer additional training on top in areas related to what we do, such as eating disorders or post traumatic stress disorder."
She added: "I have been in the post for six years now and the charity has substantially changed in the last five years. "The nomination goes to show that all the hard work that we all do is actually being felt. "We have got to be creating a better place for people in Barnsley to come and live and work."
