Citizens Advice Witness Service Outreach Volunteer

You’ll be supporting a range of vulnerable and intimidated witnesses both remotely and in person, who require an enhanced level of support, including victims of sexual or domestic abuse as well as people with communication or mental health needs and child/young witnesses when you have gained experience.

You’ll be each witness’ key supporter before, during and after the trial to help them prepare and cope with their experience of giving evidence.

With training you will work collaboratively with witnesses to identify their needs and deliver a tailored package of preparation and support to include:

• 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

Skills

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 (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.