Family Support Volunteer - Court

Volunteers in this role will attend court once a week on an agreed day. The purpose of this role is to provide practical information, emotional support and signposting to people when someone close to them is going through trial, is sentenced or remanded to custody. Volunteers will also promote the
charity and our services to court staff and legal professionals. In addition, volunteers will have the opportunity to attend events and activities with Sussex Prisoners’ Families (SPF). Full training is provided and the role offers a rare opportunity to volunteer in the criminal courts.

• Identify from the court lists and by liaising with court staff (such as; list callers, ushers and probation staff) the court cases where custody is anticipated.
• Approach family-members of defendants (people on trial or awaiting trial) in the court waiting areas, without prior arrangement, and be available to those who may need assistance or information.
• Offer emotional support to the friends and family of defendants.
• Tactfully approach families where custody has occurred with the offer of information, such as an SPF leaflet, how to arrange a prison visit and services that can be accessed from other agencies.
• Quietly observe court cases where custody is anticipated and where families are present.
• Where families are not present and imprisonment occurs, approach defence council with the offer of information about the charity, for families and their office.
• Develop good relations with court staff such as; ushers, probation, witness service, security, court clerks and cells staff – promoting the organisation and service to them.
• Ensure court leaflet racks are stocked up with SPF leaflets, where applicable.
• Provide regular updates to SPF staff and to raise issues via individual and group support sessions.
• Record details of all information given out to families/defence council/other agencies at court on SPF monitoring forms and send back to office at agreed intervals.
• Champion the service at events and activities attended by SPF, and pass on information about the experience of volunteering.

Note: This is a solo volunteering opportunity. Following training and induction volunteers will be expected to carry out their duties without a member of staff present.