Victims of crime often feel a range of emotions in the aftermath of an offence. It is Victim Support Scotland's role to provide victims and witnesses of crime emotional and practical support in person, online and in court. Volunteers are supported by VSS staff who manage the service. Our Volunteers provide emotional support, practical help, information and guidance through the criminal justice system. We aim to empower people who have been impacted by crime, to move on with their lives. Duties include: *Discuss service users' needs by telephone, webchat, appointments and face to face contact, agreeing next steps at the end of each contact. *Help service users feel more confident by arranging and conducting court familiarization visits. *Support service users in the court room and other appropriate locations on the day of the trial, liaising with court officials on behalf of the service users. *Feedback and agree follow-up actions with staff members. *Provide administrative support in completing the service users journey.

Victim Support Scotland needs volunteers to support victims of crime and witnesses attending court throughout West Lothian. We have Victim Services in every council area in Scotland, and Witness Services at every High and Sheriff Court. Must be non-judgemental. Must be able to work confidentially. PVG Checks required Volunteers may be involved in a range of activities, including making contact with victims/witnesses by 'phone, supporting witnesses attending court and visiting victims in their own homes to offer practical and emotional support in the aftermath of crime.

Volunteers will provide witnesses with support and information to assist them with the practical and emotional impact of attending court and giving evidence. This may specifically involve providing basic information on court procedures and layout; undertake court familiarisation visits; listen/ empathise with concerns/ anxieties; liaise with appropriate personnel and assess witnesses’ needs for post-trial support and referral as required. Volunteers should be reliable, sensitive and non-judgemental and have confidence to offer help to distressed or vulnerable service users, and have respect for the formality of the Court and the Court users.

Grampian Women’s Aid Board of Trustees is responsible for setting the strategic direction, ensuring that the charity complies with all its legal and regulatory requirements and that the charity’s governance is of the highest possible standard. The diversity of the Board is currently reflected with representation from all sectors including voluntary management, legal, HR and equality and diversity professionals. We would like to increase our board membership to women from all sectors and professions. An interest in the Women’s Aid movement and a commitment to our ethos is essential. Women only need apply. This post is covered by a Genuine Occupational Requirement (Schedule 9; Equality Act 2010). See website: www.grampianwomensaid.com and for more information please contact Alison Hay, Manager at E Mail: alison.hay@grampianwomensaid.com / Tel No: 01224 593381.

Promotional Volunteer Role How can you promote Victim Support Scotland’s vital services? Victim Support Scotland (VSS) attends fairs, festivals and community events to promote victim and witness support services and volunteer recruitment opportunities. VSS promotional volunteers are the voice and face of the charity, speaking to people in the community about the services we provide, encouraging people affected by crime to contact VSS for support, and speaking to potential volunteers. What would you be doing? Our promotional volunteers will supervise information stands and play an active role in helping us reach out to empower people who have been impacted by crime to move forward with their lives. The role requires you to: • Attend events to represent VSS • Identify opportunities to positively promote and support the work of VSS services • Take responsibility for leaflets and promotional items in advance of events • Direct volunteer enquiries to the recruitment section of the website • Display posters and leaflets offering VSS recruitment and in the local community What benefits would you get? Volunteering with Victim Support Scotland can be challenging and extremely rewarding. As a volunteer you will: • Make a difference to people affected by crime, by promoting our services and recruiting volunteers • Attend a range of community and national events • Gain publicity and outreach skills as well as a range of specialist training courses that are relevant to your volunteering role • Learn new skills and knowledge of the criminal justice sector • Positively affect your community as a member of a team actively working to reduce the impact of crime

Victim Support Scotland Volunteer How can you support victims and witnesses of crime? Victims of crime often feel a range of emotions in the aftermath of an offence. It is Victim Support Scotland’s role to provide victims and witnesses of crime emotional and practical support in person, online, and in court. Volunteers are supported by VSS staff who manage the service. How would you help? Our volunteers provide emotional support, practical help, information and guidance through the criminal justice system. We aim to empower people who have been impacted by crime, to move on with their lives. Discuss service users’ needs by telephone, webchat, appointments and face-to-face contact, agreeing next steps at the end of each contact Help service users feel more confident by arranging and conducting court familiarisation visits Support service users in the court room and other appropriate locations on the day of the trial, liaising with court officials on behalf of the service users. Feedback and agree follow-up actions with staff members Provide administrative support in completing the service users journey Providing support at Court What benefits would I get? Volunteering with Victim Support Scotland can be challenging and also extremely rewarding. As a volunteer you will: Support people when they most need it Learn new skills and knowledge of the criminal justice sector Gain access to a range of specialist training courses that are relevant to your volunteering role Positively contribute to your community as a member of a team actively working to reduce the impact of crime A chance to give something back Receive support in your volunteering role to deliver services effectively All reasonable expenses (e.g. travel) will be reimbursed What skills and experience do I need? We are looking for committed, reliable and empathetic volunteers who can work with people of all ages, backgrounds and life situations. Although we provide full training and support, knowledge of the criminal justice system and experience of supporting people is beneficial. As a Victim Support Scotland Volunteer you will need: Effective communication skills The ability to actively listen to service users and anyone affected by crime An interest in learning about the criminal justice system and understand the service user’s journey An awareness of confidentiality obligations and the responsibilities that come with upholding these obligations Effective time management skills (and working under pressure) Access to a car or ability to use public transport What is the time commitment? We know that our volunteers have busy lives, so we agree the time commitment with each individual volunteer. However, we ask for: a minimum commitment of approximately one day per week, however this may vary depending upon the needs of the service. a minimum commitment of at least 1 year so that they might get the most out of a volunteering role. How can I apply? The people we support come from all communities across Scotland, as do our volunteers. We welcome new volunteers from all backgrounds and languages. To ensure we provide the best possible service to people affected by crime, we ask all volunteers to follow our processes. This will involve: • Joining the Disclosure Scotland PVG scheme • Providing two satisfactory references • Completing our three day ‘Introduction to Victim Support Scotland’ training module • Signing and abiding by Victim Support Scotland’s Confidentiality agreement • Commitment to Data Protection • Volunteer Agreement

Victim Support Scotland Volunteer How can you support victims and witnesses of crime? Victims of crime often feel a range of emotions in the aftermath of an offence. It is Victim Support Scotland’s role to provide victims and witnesses of crime emotional and practical support in person, online, and in court. Volunteers are supported by VSS staff who manage the service. How would you help? Our volunteers provide emotional support, practical help, information and guidance through the criminal justice system. We aim to empower people who have been impacted by crime, to move on with their lives. Discuss service users’ needs by telephone, webchat, appointments and face-to-face contact, agreeing next steps at the end of each contact Help service users feel more confident by arranging and conducting court familiarisation visits Support service users in the court room and other appropriate locations on the day of the trial, liaising with court officials on behalf of the service users. Feedback and agree follow-up actions with staff members Provide administrative support in completing the service users journey What benefits would I get? Volunteering with Victim Support Scotland can be challenging and also extremely rewarding. As a volunteer you will: Support people when they most need it Learn new skills and knowledge of the criminal justice sector Gain access to a range of specialist training courses that are relevant to your volunteering role Positively contribute to your community as a member of a team actively working to reduce the impact of crime A chance to give something back Receive support in your volunteering role to deliver services effectively All reasonable expenses (e.g. travel) will be reimbursed What skills and experience do I need? We are looking for committed, reliable and empathetic volunteers who can work with people of all ages, backgrounds and life situations. Although we provide full training and support, knowledge of the criminal justice system and experience of supporting people is beneficial. As a Victim Support Scotland Volunteer you will need: Effective communication skills The ability to actively listen to service users and anyone affected by crime An interest in learning about the criminal justice system and understand the service user’s journey An awareness of confidentiality obligations and the responsibilities that come with upholding these obligations Effective time management skills (and working under pressure) Access to a car or ability to use public transport - please note, we are especially interested in those that can travel from postcodes PA12 to PA1 What is the time commitment? We know that our volunteers have busy lives, so we agree the time commitment with each individual volunteer. However, we ask for: a minimum commitment of approximately one day per week, however this may vary depending upon the needs of the service. a minimum commitment of at least 1 year so that they might get the most out of a volunteering role. How can I apply? The people we support come from all communities across Scotland, as do our volunteers. We welcome new volunteers from all backgrounds and languages. To ensure we provide the best possible service to people affected by crime, we ask all volunteers to follow our processes. This will involve: • Joining the Disclosure Scotland PVG scheme • Providing two satisfactory references • Completing our three day ‘Introduction to Victim Support Scotland’ training module • Signing and abiding by Victim Support Scotland’s Confidentiality agreement • Commitment to Data Protection • Volunteer Agreement

Victim Support Scotland Volunteer How can you support victims and witnesses of crime? Victims of crime often feel a range of emotions in the aftermath of an offence. It is Victim Support Scotland’s role to provide victims and witnesses of crime emotional and practical support in person, online, and in court. Volunteers are supported by VSS staff who manage the service. How would you help? Our volunteers provide emotional support, practical help, information and guidance through the criminal justice system. We aim to empower people who have been impacted by crime, to move on with their lives. Discuss service users’ needs by telephone, webchat, appointments and face-to-face contact, agreeing next steps at the end of each contact Help service users feel more confident by arranging and conducting court familiarisation visits Support service users in the court room and other appropriate locations on the day of the trial, liaising with court officials on behalf of the service users. Feedback and agree follow-up actions with staff members Provide administrative support in completing the service users journey What benefits would I get? Volunteering with Victim Support Scotland can be challenging and also extremely rewarding. As a volunteer you will: Support people when they most need it Learn new skills and knowledge of the criminal justice sector Gain access to a range of specialist training courses that are relevant to your volunteering role Positively contribute to your community as a member of a team actively working to reduce the impact of crime A chance to give something back Receive support in your volunteering role to deliver services effectively All reasonable expenses (e.g. travel) will be reimbursed What skills and experience do I need? We are looking for committed, reliable and empathetic volunteers who can work with people of all ages, backgrounds and life situations. Although we provide full training and support, knowledge of the criminal justice system and experience of supporting people is beneficial. As a Victim Support Scotland Volunteer you will need: Effective communication skills The ability to actively listen to service users and anyone affected by crime An interest in learning about the criminal justice system and understand the service user’s journey An awareness of confidentiality obligations and the responsibilities that come with upholding these obligations Effective time management skills (and working under pressure) Access to a car or ability to use public transport What is the time commitment? We know that our volunteers have busy lives, so we agree the time commitment with each individual volunteer. However, we ask for: a minimum commitment of approximately one day per week, however this may vary depending upon the needs of the service. a minimum commitment of at least 1 year so that they might get the most out of a volunteering role. How can I apply? The people we support come from all communities across Scotland, as do our volunteers. We welcome new volunteers from all backgrounds and languages. To ensure we provide the best possible service to people affected by crime, we ask all volunteers to follow our processes. This will involve: • Joining the Disclosure Scotland PVG scheme • Providing two satisfactory references • Completing our three day ‘Introduction to Victim Support Scotland’ training module • Signing and abiding by Victim Support Scotland’s Confidentiality agreement • Commitment to Data Protection • Volunteer Agreement

How can you use your skills and dedication to support people affected by crime? Victim Support Scotland (VSS) provides support and information services to victims and witnesses of crime in Scotland. Our café volunteers based in Jedburgh Sheriff Court help raise vital funds for Victim Support Scotland by serving the court users with refreshments and accepting donations. What will you be doing? Our cafe volunteers carry out the following duties: • Serving tea, coffee and snacks to all court users. • Operate a small petty cash float • Keep the café well stocked and good in appearance • Keeping the small kitchen area clean and tidy • Be a friendly face to those affected by crime. What are the benefits you will receive? Volunteering with Victim Support Scotland can be challenging and extremely rewarding. As a cafe volunteer you will: • Help raise vital funds for Victim Support Scotland to support people affected by crime • Have the opportunity to develop and enhance experience in a catering environment • Make a positive impact to those affected by crime and meet new people by working actively as a member of a team. What skills and experience do you need? We are looking for committed, reliable and empathetic volunteers who can be a ‘friendly face’ of Victim Support Scotland. You could be retired, someone wishing catering experience, or you just have a general interest in working for a good cause. Although we provide training and support, we require you to have the following: • An ability to communicate to people from all backgrounds • Cash handling experience • The ability to work on your own and within a small team • Disclosure Scotland check required • Commitment to undertake Safeguarding and any other training as necessary What can you expect? As a volunteer with Victim Support Scotland, you can expect: • Support in your volunteering role to complete tasks effectively • Training and development to give you any further skills you need • All reasonable expenses (e.g. travel) to be reimbursed What is the time commitment? We know that our volunteers have busy lives, so we agree the time commitment with each individual volunteer. However, we ask for: • A minimum commitment from volunteers of approximately four per week, however this may vary depending upon the needs of the service. • A minimum commitment of at least one year, so that they might get the most out of a volunteering role. How can you apply? The people we support come from all communities across Scotland, as do our volunteers. We welcome new volunteers from all backgrounds and languages. To ensure we provide the best possible service to people affected by crime, we ask all volunteers to follow our processes. This will involve: • Undertaking a Disclosure Scotland PVG check • Providing two satisfactory references • Completing our three day ‘Introduction to Victim Support Scotland’ training module • Signing and abiding by Victim Support Scotland’s: o Confidentiality agreement. o Commitment to data protection. o Volunteer agreement. We have several ways you can apply or register your interest: • Email volunteer@victimsupportsco.org.uk for an information pack. • Call our free helpline on 0800 160 1985.

Volunteers may be involved in a range of activities, including making contact with victims/witnesses by 'phone, supporting witnesses attending court and visiting victims in their own homes to offer practical and emotional support in the aftermath of crime. Must be non-judgemental. Must be able to work confidentially. PVG Checks required Victim Support Scotland needs volunteers to support victims of crime and witnesses attending court throughout West Lothian. We have Victim Services in every council area in Scotland, and Witness Services at every High and Sheriff Court.