News


Mote Park in UK top three


MAIDSTONE’S Mote Park has been listed in the top three UK parks for the third year in a row. Mote Park was named the third


best park in the UK in this year’s Green Flag People’s Choice Awards – a step down from its sec- ond place last year. The parkwelcomes more than 1.6 million visitors every year and Cllr Gordon Newton, chairman of the town’s heritage, culture and leisure committee said: “To have been named among the top three parks at the Green Flag People’s Choice Awards for the third time is a won- derful acknowledgement of the value Mote Park adds to Maid- stone. “Every member of the team – in- cluding the wide network of vol- unteers – responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of Mote Park deserves to share in this award.”


London’sVictoria Parkwas over-


all winner for the second year, with Margam Park in Port Talbot,Wales second. Cllr Newton said: “Looking at


the strength of the competition, it’s a great achievement to have been named third. We look forward to continuing to develop Mote Park and improving the services and fa- cilities.”


downsmail.co.uk


Centre offers help for sexual assault victims


MORE than 500 victims of sexual assault have been helped by a Maidstone centre since it opened two years ago. Beech House Sexual Assault Re-


ferral Centre (SARC), in Hermitage Lane, is jointly commissioned by NHS England and the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes to provide a 24-hour “per- sonalised approach” for victims who do not wish to go direct to the police. Run by Mountain Healthcare,


Beech House staff, including nurses, offer immediate care for clients’ health needs, a forensic medical ex- amination if they wish, and crisis support. They can then refer them to other organisations for counselling, health care andwelfare support. More than 300 people were helped by the centre during the last year, 22% up on the previous year. Women, men and children are sup- ported and about half of the clients are aged 20 to 40. About one person a day accesses


the free and confidential service which can be done by phoning for


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an appointment, or they can be re- ferred by professionals. Fay Maxted, chief executive of the Survivors Trust, said: “Beech House offers a safe and caring environment where victims of sexual assault and survivors can make their own deci- sions about what works best for them. I’ve seen first-hand the posi- tive effect that the staff at Beech House have offered people who have been sexually assaulted and the positive impact this has made to their ongoing care.” Mrs Barnes said that before Beech


House opened there was only a small-scale and basic referral centre


and victims of sexual assault often had to be taken out of Kent to re- ceive the care they needed. She said: “This centre is accessible


by appointment 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and able to help all vic- tims. I am very proud of what has been achieved.” The centre has two examination rooms, a waiting room, interview room and kitchen where clients and their friends can prepare drinks and snacks. There is also a 24-hour helpline, staffed by nurses. For details, visit www.beechhous- esarc.org or call 01622 726461, or 0800 133 7432 (out of hours).


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