Announcement Blog

DEVON ROAD USER SUPPORT SERVICE CELEBRATES

Posted on: Tuesday 20 October 2009

DEVON ROAD USER SUPPORT SERVICE CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY BY TAKING ON TWO NEW TEAM MEMBERS

The Road User Support Service (RUSS), a unique service based in Devon offering complete rehabilitation assistance to help persons involved in Road Traffic Collisions (RTC) is celebrating 10 years in business with the launch of their new website designed by Business Network member - Daneswood www.roadusersupportservice.co.uk and expansion of the team with the recruitment of two ex-Devon & Cornwall Police Traffic Officers; Ashley Brooks as a driving instructor and Robin Derges as an advanced motorcyclist.
Rosemary Pell – Manager of RUSS said: “I can’t believe that it is 10 years since I launched RUSS and how much the business has grown and progressed during that time. RUSS offers tailor-made programmes providing psychological and practice support with a sensitive approach to improve the driving skills, increase confidence and lessen the anxiety of our clients helping them to get their life back on track. We are the only organisation of its type in the UK to offer this full service of driving instructors and therapists which helps people to retrain and regain confidence following a road traffic incident across the county of Devon. It is an exciting era for us following the milestone anniversary and also the acquisition of the services of two new highly qualified and experienced team members. Ashley and Robin are totally in tune with the ethos of what RUSS is seeking to achieve with regards to working sympathetically and sensitively with traumatised clients. I know they will bring a quality approach and add value to the team with their extensive skills and expertise. In addition Robin is our very first advanced motorcyclist which will extend the levels of service we can offer to our clients.”

Every year around 3,000 people are killed on Britain’s roads, 40,000 are seriously injured and in total there are over 300,000 casualties. The RUSS team provides a two-tier approach offering professional, emotional and practical support to get clients through the stressful after-effects of being involved in a traumatic traffic incident by providing practical driving sessions with Driving Standards Agency approved driving instructors and counselling with a fully trained team of qualified counsellors.

RUSS receives many referrals from professional organisations including Devon & Cornwall Police; Victim Support; The Devon Drivers’ Centre; Devon Air Ambulance; psychiatrists; psychologists; medical practices and solicitors.
Andrew Harris, (partner in Veitch Penny solicitors, Exeter) said: “I congratulate Rosemary on the 10th anniversary of RUSS and am delighted to learn of the further expansion of her team of professionals. Veitch Penny’s accident claims team has supported RUSS from the very beginning and a great many of our clients have now benefited from the unique and professional services RUSS offer. Medical Expert opinion regularly confirms that help provided by Rosemary and her team has been an invaluable aid for the traumatised client. Feedback from our clients is so positive that I am confident her organisation will continue to go from strength to strength.”
The Road User Support Service was founded as a result of the personal involvement of Rosemary Pell in two head-on car crashes in 1982 and 1990. Both collisions occurred on blind bends with the other drivers travelling on the wrong side of the road and the second incident not only left Rosemary with a permanent neck injury, but also a genuine fear of driving, particularly on similar bends.
Rosemary Pell – Manager of RUSS said: “At the time there was little practical and emotional support available to help me feel comfortable in a car again. I initially approached Devon County Council Road Safety Team who offered invaluable assistance in setting up an appropriate support group and with whom I still have a close-working partnership. As owner/manager of RUSS, I am responsible for all aspects of running the business including client assessments and treatment recommendations. In addition, I also run my own private counselling practice specialising in bereavement and loss, relationship issues, panic attacks and anxiety.”
Peter Gimber County Road Safety Manager for Devon County Council said: “Often overlooked is the fact that some people can remain emotionally distressed long after the physical scars of a road injury have healed. Rosemary and her team help hundreds of Devon residents to regain their confidence to travel again and to overcome issues that may have blighted their family lives and affected them in their work. I am impressed that Rosemary has been so persistent to champion the cause that society seems to have largely overlooked. The County Council has encouraged Rosemary in this work for the past decade and wishes her every success in the future.”
More information can be found on the new website: www.roadusersupportservice.co.uk

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