Hostage UK: Who we are, how we work and how can we help you do your job?

© Hostage UK 2014

Aims and objectives

To provide specialist services and pastoral support to hostages and their families, during and after the case To provide education and training for organisations on family support and hostage re-integration

To campaign and advocate for improved government and organisational policy and practice relating to family support and hostage re-integration

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People and principles

People with direct experience of hostage taking and kidnap

Driven by needs of families and hostages

Sticking to our niche and ‘value added’

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Resources and capacity

People

Staff (part-time Director and Administrator)Trustees (Board)Pro bono advisorsVolunteers

Other resources

24/7 HelplineSupport in kind from various organisations

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Case handling

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Family support services

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What families experience

Shock, numbness, denial

Fear, anxiety, powerlessness

Isolation – others cannot possibly understand

Hopelessness about the future

Ambiguous about what is happening

What families need

Regular, consistent, honest information – not false hope Good sense and peer support

Professional support from trained people

Practical help to deal with routine problems

Something to do, options – but clear guidance against some things

Ongoing support after the kidnap is resolved

© Hostage UK 2014

Operating principles

Access: free at the point of use; info-rich website

Trust: independence (funding, brand, relationships); confidentiality; one person per contact, not per case

Helplessness: support/empower but don’t take over; offer practical help; complement rather than replicate existing support networks; professional support rather than friendship

© Hostage UK 2014

Family support challenges

Drifting into response, providing ‘advice’, liabilities

Perceived v. real independence – government, response companies, employers

Dealing in uncertainties, lack of information, desire for action

Getting too close to the family, doing rather than supporting

Family conflict

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Business model challenges

Low core staff capacity

Reliance on volunteers: verification, non-payment, motivations, consistency of support

Funding model: independence, regular flow of income, variety of income sources

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Income sources

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The Future

Hostage International

Hostage US established with 5013c status

Interest in:South America (Pais Libre)EuropeAustralasia

© Hostage UK 2014