As a Witness Service Volunteer, you'll provide vital support to witnesses, their friends, and families as they navigate the court process. Your role will be to offer practical guidance and emotional reassurance, helping them feel more at ease and confident about giving evidence.
- Support witnesses and their supporters by providing emotional reassurance, clear guidance, and practical information about court procedures.
- Show witnesses around the courtroom before a trial (outside London) to help them feel more comfortable.
- Carry out the paperwork necessary to record and evaluate our work.
- Accompany witnesses in the courtroom on trial day, if permitted.
- Identify and signpost witnesses to additional support services if needed.
- Work closely with fellow volunteers, staff, and court personnel as part of a supportive team.
- Travel to different courts within your area if required.
What's in it for you?
- Make a meaningful impact on people’s lives and your community.
- Receive full training, accreditation, support and ongoing development.
- Use your skills and experiences to support others in a unique and rewarding way.
- Have the opportunity to take on additional roles such as a buddying or IT champion.
- Gain valuable interpersonal skills and experience.
- Reimbursement of agreed out of pocket expenses
No formal qualifications are required — just the right attitude and dedication! We’re looking for volunteers who:
- Are friendly, caring, and empathetic.
- Are non-judgemental and able to remain impartial.
- Have good communication skills; both written and verbal, and are a good listener.
- Can work well as part of a diverse team.
- Are reliable, committed and flexible.
- Are comfortable using computers for training and communication.
- Can handle challenging situations and use their initiative to solve problems.
You’ll also need to complete an Enhanced level DBS disclosure (criminal record check), which we will arrange. Having a criminal record does not necessarily prevent you from volunteering with us.
- 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
- We’ll ask you can offer a minimum of one day per week at court where you will usually be needed from 9am-5pm. This would be agreed between you and your Team Leader and we welcome requests for flexible arrangements. Newton Abbot is open on alternate Tuesdays only and you can complete some of the training at Exeter Law Courts.
- You’d also be invited to and expected to attend - ongoing training, volunteer meetings and regular one-to-one support sessions, which are typically held every quarter.
We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from people with physical or mental health conditions, and people from Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) and LGBTQ+ communities.
We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone, and we expect our volunteers to share this commitment.