You’ll be a witness’ key supporter before, during and after the trial to help them prepare and cope with their experience of giving evidence. No experience of how courts work is necessary as full training is given. We look for friendly, empathetic, impartial volunteers with good communication skills.
The role would include:
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- Meeting with witnesses via video call and phone, using online tools where needed. Meeting witnesses at their home or other approved location may be required when this would best meet their needs and risk assessments have been completed.
- Showing witnesses around the court before the trial so they are familiar and at ease in the environment.
- Attending court on the day the witness gives evidence, accompanying them when giving evidence where permitted.
- Making contact with the witness post trial to debrief their experience and facilitate referrals to other agencies.
- Supporting witnesses at sentencing hearings at court where required
What’s in it for you?
- Contribute to the service’s aims of supporting witnesses.
- Training, accreditation and continued personal development and support in the role
- Use your skills and life experiences to help others
- The opportunity to take on additional internal roles such as a volunteer mentor
- Gain valuable experience and development of interpersonal skills.
- Have a positive impact in your community and on the lives of witnesses and their supporters
- Reimbursement of agreed out of pocket expenses
- It can take around 3 months to become fully accredited as a Witness Service Volunteer. The expectation is that you can volunteer for a minimum of 12 months after you’ve completed your training. If you are unsure if you can offer this please let us know and we can talk about more flexible options. We look forward to hearing from you!
Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds and we particularly welcome applications from people with physical or mental health conditions, and people from Global Majority and LGBTQ+ communities. We are committed to offering a welcoming and inclusive environment to witnesses, staff, and volunteers, and expect volunteers to share this value.