Veezu, the UK’s largest and fastest-growing private hire technology business, today announces a new partnership with national charity Stamp Out Spiking to raise awareness of spiking. They have also agreed to collaborate on an accredited anti-spiking training pilot for private hire drivers, a first-of-its-kind initiative by a UK private hire vehicle (PHV) operator. The new voluntary training empowers Veezu driver-partners to recognise and respond to spiking risks.

The pilot will launch this summer in Norwich, supported by Norwich City Council, South Norfolk and Broadland District Council, as part of their ongoing work to promote a safer night-time economy. The pilot is also supported by the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce.

Veezu is the first private hire operator to partner with Stamp Out Spiking, the national charity dedicated to ending substance-facilitated harm through prevention, education, victim support, and policy change. Founded by long-time campaigner and educator Dawn Dines, the charity delivers training for frontline professionals, raises public awareness through national campaigns, and works with authorities to improve responses and push for stronger laws.

To further support the campaign, Veezu will donate a proportion of the fare to Stamp Out Spiking for every app-based booking made in Norwich throughout July. The donation campaign aims to raise awareness following International Stamp Out Spiking Day on 15 July and will directly support the charity’s national prevention work.

This targeted training marks a significant step by the PHV sector in taking action to address spiking, a growing public safety concern involving the non-consensual administration of substances, often leading to theft, assault, or sexual violence. Police data shows more than 6,700 spiking incidents were reported between May 2022 and April 2023, with real numbers likely far higher due to underreporting.

While hospitality venues have made progress in tackling spiking, transport has often been left out of the conversation. Yet, for many people, the journey home is when the effects of spiking can begin to escalate. Private hire drivers are uniquely placed to recognise when someone may be vulnerable or in need of help. They already make a significant contribution to getting the public home safely. This new training initiative aims to spread best practice and equip the sector with clear guidance on how to identify risk and respond appropriately.

The announcement comes as the Crime and Policing Bill 2024–25 enters its final parliamentary stages, with new legislation expected to introduce a standalone offence of ‘administering a harmful substance’. The proposed law reflects mounting public pressure for stronger prevention and enforcement across hospitality, transport, and community services.

Chris Ford, Regional Director at Veezu, said: “Driver-partners already play an important role in helping people get home safely. This partnership is about going further, ensuring they have the knowledge and confidence to respond with care and offer an added layer of protection when it’s needed most. We’re proud to lead by example. It shows what’s possible when transport providers, councils, and charities come together to deliver practical, joined-up solutions for public safety.”

Dawn Dines, founder and CEO of Stamp Out Spiking, added:  “Spiking is a hidden crime that can have devastating consequences. After years of studying victims’ testimonials, we understand just how vital it is to collaborate with different sectors to safeguard against spiking. This collaboration with Veezu is a powerful and ground-breaking step forward. By empowering drivers with the knowledge to identify and respond to the signs of spiking, we are creating a vital new layer of safeguarding during the journey home. This is part of the jigsaw of us all working together, collaborating to stamp out these invisible crimes and to help both men and women at a time when they most need it. Together, we can create a culture where everyone plays a role in keeping others safe as per our nationwide Keep an Eye Out campaign.”

David Woods, a licensed PHV driver-partner, shared: “I’ve always seen passenger and public safety as a fundamental part of being a licensed private hire driver. When I learned about the Stamp Out Spiking campaign, I knew it was something I wanted to bring to Veezu, because they take safety just as seriously. It was welcome news when they chose to back the campaign, and I’m proud to be part of the launch. Everyone deserves to feel safe, and no one should ever feel at risk when enjoying an evening out. That’s why this campaign is so important to me.”

Jack Weaver, Chief Operating Officer, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, stated: “Norwich’s night-time economy is an important part of the city’s cultural and economic life.  The city’s Purple Flag status recognises Norwich as a safe, inclusive, and well-managed place to enjoy a night out.  This initiative from Veezu and Stamp Out Spiking recognises that joined-up safety benefits both businesses and the wider community, and it’s encouraging to see local transport providers stepping up to support the high standards that make Norwich such a vibrant and trusted destination.”

We’re beyond thrilled
with our brand-new window graphics – designed by the super-talented team at
@indevelopment.studio and installed to perfection by @SPPDigital 🙌

They’ve taken our
ideas and turned them into something that perfectly represents Smash: bold,
creative, and a little bit quirky (just like us!).

Every time we walk by
the office now, it feels so us – and we absolutely love it.

Big shoutout to both teams for
bringing our personality to life on glass.

Pop by and see the new
graphics in person – they’re hard to miss!

Caseworker

Hours: Monday to Friday Full time

Locations: Based in Norwich or Kings Lynn but travel across Norfolk is required.  Car and driving licence essential reimbursed at 0.45p per mile

Salary: £24,977 per annum

Annual Leave: 20 days plus bank holidays

Pension: 4.5% contribution

Norfolk Citizens Advice is working with the Probation Service and is seeking a dedicated Caseworker to join our team.

Are you a compassionate individual who wants to help make a positive difference in people’s lives?

We invite talented individuals who share our visions and values to apply for this rewarding opportunity.

Role Overview:

As a Caseworker, your primary purpose is to empower clients by providing comprehensive guidance in managing their financial well-being. You will enhance the financial stability and independence of the clients you serve by offering practical advice, resources, and emotional support.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct benefits checks and offer advice on benefit application processes.
• Provide financial guidance on money advice including welfare, debt, and tax-related matters.
• Engage in discussions about effective debt management strategies and refer clients to relevant specialist resources when necessary.
• Coach clients on banking processes and online tools, assisting in setting up Universal Credit on clients’ phones, and addressing any challenges.
• Identify additional client needs, such as disability or dependent support, and guide them to access services like PIP and Carer’s Allowance.
• Assist clients in tracking income and expenses, and help them plan for expenditures and debt repayments.
• Collaborate with specialist partner organizations/projects to develop and deliver debt management and repayment plans.
• Facilitate referrals to support programs for addressing cost-of-living crises.
• Assist clients in obtaining necessary identification and setting up bank accounts as needed.
• Represent clients in Welfare Benefit appeals tribunals.
• Facilitate in pursuing Debt Relief Orders using partner organizations and projects
• Facilitate in pursuing Breathing Space for clients in financial distress using partner organizations and projects.

Satisfactory clearance of an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) and the Probation Service vetting process is required.

Essential Skills:

Good time management skills.

Strong IT skills.

Access to a car and a valid driving license is essential.

Good telephone manner.

We are a strong supporter of equality, diversity and inclusive practices.

The closing date for applications will be the end of business on Friday 6^th October 2023. (We reserve the right to close this early should we need to)

Please APPLY HERE

The summer holiday season is upon us and we know that many
of you will have enough downtime away that you’ll start thinking and planning for the
months ahead as we run up to Christmas. 
Yes, we said it, Christmas!  When
we all return from our respective summer breaks, we’ll be in that latter part
of the year renewed from recharging our batteries and thinking about what we
can get stuck into and achieve before the festive season begins.

So, as you go on holiday, take away with you exciting
thoughts of business growth and embrace the ideas that such time with your thoughts will allow
you.  Whatever plans you come up with,
one of the biggest blockers to it actually coming to fruition is time and the
appropriate skilled resources.  As much
as we can’t stretch time, we can help you with the skills and resources you
will need for your ideas to become a reality and for business success to happen.

Planning the next steps to action will involve, firstly, looking at your existing team.  Are
they all stretched and struggling to find the time to do anything new, just
firefighting to get the priority work done each day? If so, growth can’t happen like this, and you’ll be facing the reality that
it’s time for a new member of staff. 

New members of staff with the skills you require are
expensive so consider an apprentice and train them in your ways with best
practice teaching from external professionals in the industry who will do it
for you at no cost (or very minimal cost).  Apprentices are cheaper to hire as they don’t
yet have the skills you need (but will get them pretty quickly in the first few
months on an apprenticeship). That’s where we come in because we are paid by Government to take on that training role for you and train your new team member whilst they work for you.

Alternatively, do any members of your existing team have
capacity to take on more or to upskill into a new role which will help you
achieve the goal you are envisaging?  If
so, you can use the same training arrangement for your existing team member
without any additional hiring costs… and remember that training from seasoned
professionals who have done the job and know the realities, is fully paid for
(or 95% funded depending on your situation) by the Government so it may
literally cost you nothing! 

If you would like to have a quick, no obligation chat about
how the apprenticeship system and associated funding can be used in your business to help you achieve the next stage of growth, please
do get in contact and we can help you gather good food for thought before you go away…

Contact [email protected]