Witness Service Outreach Volunteer - Great Yarmouth

Get InVOLved Norfolk; Great Yarmouth; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A community support organization is seeking a Witness Service Outreach Volunteer in Great Yarmouth. This role involves supporting vulnerable witnesses throughout the court process, providing emotional support and practical information. Volunteers will work closely with witnesses to meet their needs, attend trials, and follow up after proceedings to ensure their wellbeing. Ideal candidates should have excellent communication skills and a caring attitude. This opportunity promotes inclusivity and requires a friendly and empathetic approach.

Qualifications

• Friendly and supportive demeanor towards vulnerable individuals.
• Ability to travel within local areas.
• Access to a computer with a camera for video calls.

Responsibilities

• Support witnesses before, during, and after trials.
• Identify needs and deliver tailored support.
• Accompany witnesses to court and facilitate referrals post-trial.

Skills

Empathy

Communication skills

Teamwork

Reliability

Flexibility

Job description

Giving evidence as a witness can be daunting and the court process can be complicated and difficult to understand. The Citizens Advice Witness Service provides free and independent support for both ...

Witness Service Outreach Volunteer - Great Yarmouth

Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England, United Kingdom

Administration Advice & Mentoring Befriending Other IT

#98221
Scan me or visit www.getinvolvednorfolk.org.uk/o/Citizens-Advice-Witness-Service1/opportunities/Witness-Service-Outreach-Volunteer---Great-Yarmouth/98221 to join

Summary

Our outreach service provides enhanced support for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses who may need additional support and preparation ahead of trial day.

Detailed description

Our outreach service provides enhanced support for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses who may need additional support and preparation ahead of trial day so they can give their best evidence in court.

What will you do?

• Support a diverse range of vulnerable and intimidated witnesses and be their key supporter before, during and after the trial to help them prepare and cope with their experience of giving evidence.
• Work collaboratively with witnesses to identify their needs and deliver a tailored package of preparation and support.
• Meet with witnesses via video call and phone.
• Show witnesses around the court before the trial so they are familiar and at ease in the environment.
• Attend court on the day the witness gives evidence, accompanying them when giving evidence where permitted.
• Make contact with the witness post trial to talk about their experience of giving evidence and facilitate referrals to other agencies.

What skills will you need?

You don’t need specific qualifications but you’ll need to:

• Be friendly, caring, supportive and empathetic towards others.
• Be non-judgemental and impartial.
• Have good communication skills; both written and verbal, as well as being a good listener.
• Be able to work effectively as part of a diverse team
• Be reliable, committed and flexible, with an ability to plan and organise your own time and tasks.
• The ability to handle challenging situations and use your initiative, experience and training to solve problems and make appropriate decisions.
• The ability to travel within your local area (in some areas this may require a vehicle).
• Have access to good internet connection and a laptop/computer with a camera to use in a private space. This enables you to facilitate video calls with witnesses, and undertake training and communication tasks.

You’ll also need an Enhanced level DBS disclosure (a criminal record check), which we will arrange. Having a criminal record is not in itself a barrier to volunteering with us.

Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds and we particularly welcome application from people with physical or mental health conditions, and people from Black, Asian Minority Ethnic (Global Majority) and LGBTQIA+ communities. We are committed to offering a welcoming and inclusive environment to witnesses, staff and volunteers.

Giving evidence as a witness can be daunting and the court process can be complicated and difficult to understand. The Citizens Advice Witness Service provides free and independent support for both prosecution and defence witnesses in every criminal court in England and Wales.

Our trained volunteers provide practical information about the court process as well as emotional support to help witnesses feel more confident when giving evidence.

Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds and we particularly welcome applications from people with physical or mental health conditions, and people from Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) and LGBT+ communities. We are committed to offering a welcoming and inclusive environment to witnesses, staff, and volunteers.