We need Volunteers!
Recruitment is now closed for volunteer opportunities. We will be advertising for further opportunities within local areas in January 2011.
About Us
Victim Support has a network of approximately 60 members of staff and over 160 volunteers based in local offices and courts throughout Northern Ireland. The most important and valuable resource we have is the large number of volunteers who give their time to provide services to victims and witnesses of crime.
A volunteer can expect to give their time and skills and get something back in return, whether it is learning new skills themselves, gaining a qualification, helping to build confidence, having the chance to meet new people, or gaining the satisfaction of helping a cause they believe in. No previous experience is necessary and out of pocket expenses are reimbursed. Volunteers are supervised and supported by staff.
Damian, a Victim Support volunteer for 8 years:
"The people I meet are of all ages and backgrounds and are affected by all sorts of crime.... Usually I'm the first objective person that people have the chance to talk to. It's my job to listen, provide reassurance, offer practical assistance and ultimately help victims to recover. I don't make decisions for people - I hope I empower them to make decisions for themselves"
Volunteers are crucial to the work of Victim Support. We offer help to approximately 30,000 people affected by crime each year, and, despite the funding we get from the Northern Ireland Office and sponsors, we could not do this without our volunteers.
Volunteers in Victim Support's Community Service
Volunteers are needed in all areas to support people affected by crime. We are looking for volunteers who have a range of skills. Help for crime victims and their family and friends is normally provided by either office appointments, outreach visits, home visits, or over the phone.
Volunteers are needed to:
- listen to people affected by crime
- identify any support needs they might have
- provide practical and emotional support.
We need enthusiastic volunteers who are keen to develop their skills.
Volunteers also assist with completing Criminal Injuries Compensation forms and explaining the compensation process. With the assistance of the Coordinator, volunteers link clients to other services and agencies. They also provide information on criminal proceedings and the criminal justice system.
Volunteers in the Witness Service
Volunteers are needed in all court locations to support people affected by crime. We are looking for volunteers who have a range of skills. Help is provided to adult prosecution witnesses, their family and friends, in dedicated waiting rooms at court venues across Northern Ireland.
Volunteers are needed to:
- listen to people affected by crime
- organise familiarisation visits to the court
- make witnesses familiar with court layout and procedures
- liaise with court officers and legal representatives
- accompany witnesses into court, if requested
- provide practical and emotional support
Other ways of helping
You can help victims of crime in other ways, such as helping with the running of our offices, or assisting with publicity, developing our web sites, fundraising and interpreting, particularly if you have skills in these areas.
Are there any age limits?
Anyone aged 18 or over can apply to become a Victim Support volunteer.
What do I have to do to become a Victim Support volunteer?
We have to carry out some basic checks to help ensure the safety of the people we work with, and our staff. Everyone who wants to volunteer to support victims and witnesses must supply references and declare any criminal convictions they may have (both spent and unspent). We will also carry out a criminal record check. Having a criminal record does not automatically exclude someone from volunteering and the selection panel will carefully consider each case on its own merits. Click on the links below for more information.
Community Service Role Description
Witness Service Role Description
What training is needed?
You do not need any existing qualifications to become a Victim Support or Witness Service volunteer. Victim Support believes that many people have within them the ability to help victims and witnesses of crime. All volunteers involved in supporting victims and witnesses are given basic training which increases their awareness of the effects of crime; develops their listening skills; and provides relevant practical information, for example police and court procedures.
Who do I contact if I would like to find out more about volunteering?
If you would like to find out more about volunteering please contact the Volunteer Development Officer on 028 9027 7771 or email volunteer@victimsupportni.org.uk
