Compass House

Compass House is one of the Kent Police & Crime Commissioner's  commitments to supporting victims of crime in Kent. It was established in 2015 and is based in Ashford.

Among the services working at Compass House is Victim Support, who provide the PCC’s advocacy and support service for victims of all crime in Kent, whether or not they've reported the incident to the police. 

The Kent police Victim and Witness Care Unit is also based here.

Altogether 12 victim service organisations utilise the facilities offered at Compass House. 

The name ‘Compass House’ was chosen by a victims panel and reflects what the centre does – points people in the direction of the help they need.

The facilities offered include:

• Comfortable and welcoming therapy rooms for one-to-one support and counselling.
• Video link suites for vulnerable witnesses who cannot attend court in person.
• A training suite/meeting room that offers the use of in person and online facilities.
• Hot desk facilities that can be used by our partnership agencies that support victims.

‘My clients and I get to work together at Compass House, which is a great venue for our face-to-face therapy sessions. Being in Ashford town centre makes it accessible to lots of people. The therapy room is wonderfully spacious, well furnished, with toys and colouring books that can be used during therapy. I’ve been able to invite people with varying mobility needs to the building as well because it’s accessible and has a disabled toilet. It’s also a quiet building, which helps my clients to relax and to explore really difficult ideas or memories. Perhaps my favourite thing about Compass House is having a receptionist who is friendly and consistent each week. It feels like we’re in safe hands. As ever, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to Compass House. I feel very grateful that the team continues to support Family Matters and our clients.’

Feedback from Family Matters

Kent Police Victim and Witness Care Unit

The Kent Police Victim and Witness Care unit is also based at Compass House.

The team provides a single point of contact for victims/ witnesses about the progress of their case as well as help reducing the stress of attending court.

The aim of the Victim and Witness Care Unit is to make the legal process as straightforward as possible, supporting victims and witnesses from the point when an offender is charged. 

Visits to Compass House are by appointment only.

If your organisation provides support to victims in Kent & Medway and you would be interested in using the facilities at Compass House contact us at [email protected] 

For more information about Compass House, you can download our leaflet  here.