Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Appeal for volunteers to help support victims
Victim Support Scotland is calling on more people throughout Monklands to step forward and volunteer.
Courts are due to have a phased reopening between now and September following the coronavirus pandemic, with the call being made to help meet the increased demand for victim, witness and family services.
Volunteers play an active role in supporting people affected by crime through dedicated and often long-term support.
The charity launched its volunteer recruitment campaign during Volunteers’ Week and continues to look for people for a variety of roles in the courts and local communities.
Cabinet Secretary for Justice Keith Brown said: “The commitment of Victim Support Scotland volunteers has been vital to ensure people affected by crime have had the support, reassurance, and practical help they require when needed throughout the pandemic.
“Volunteers’ informed and compassionate support, underpinned by bespoke training, is invaluable and makes a huge difference, particularly to our most vulnerable court users and their families.
“As we increase court capacity throughout Scotland, it is an ideal time to consider volunteering in a victim support role to ensure that individuals and families are supported as their cases come forward.”
New volunteers will learn about the courts and the wider criminal justice system.
As part of Scotland’s dynamic third sector, volunteers will work with colleagues and partner organisations who are passionate about social justice.
Kate Wallace from the charity said: “Volunteering with us is a unique opportunity.
“We depend on our volunteers to support people affected by crime when they most need it, empowering them to move forward with their lives.
“They do all this while learning new support skills, gaining experience of working within the criminal justice sector, and accessing a wide range of training opportunities.
“We offer a breadth of volunteering roles. If you are looking for a challenging yet rewarding experience with valuable training and development opportunities, I would urge you to consider joining us as a volunteer.”