Helensburgh and Lomond volunteers needed for support charity

Victim Support Scotland (VSS) is looking to recruit new volunteers in Helensburgh and Lomond that will make a difference to hundreds of lives.

The charity’s support workers and volunteers are available to victims of crime and witnesses in person, over the phone and in the courts.

This support may be providing advice during visits to court to help demystify the process, providing emotional support, signposting specialist or professional services or just being there to listen.

They also offer dedicated facilities such as a remote court suite in Glasgow which offers victims and witnesses the opportunity to participate in trials away from the courtroom.

The charity’s support workers and volunteers are available to victims of crime and witnesses in person, over the phone and in the courts (Image: Victim Support Scotland)

The suites, which offer the ability to provide evidence by commissioner (EBC) create safe, managed, trauma-informed environments where witnesses are supported to provide their best evidence as early as possible.

They are urging people to sign up to help deliver emotional and practical support to the people who need it.

Once enrolled, VSS volunteers receive comprehensive hands-on training and day to day support to ensure they have the skills and resources to provide the support that is required.

Anna McLaughlin, who oversees service operations in Dunbartonshire, said: “Our volunteers do incredible work in the courts and the community, providing support for victims and witnesses of crime and their loved ones who have been affected too.

"When people are going through a difficult and overwhelming time, it helps to have someone by your side to give you unconditional support and guidance, no matter how big or small."

Kate Wallace, chief executive of Victim Support Scotland, said: “Volunteers are the backbone of our organisation, and we need more of them to ensure we can continue to deliver vital services to the people who need it most in these areas.

“Our dedicated teams provide a broad range of support to help people affected by crime take control and move forward with their lives.

"Our work helps ease concerns and anxieties and offers comfort and hope to people in our own communities. Without volunteers, these services wouldn’t be possible.”

Kate Wallace, Chief Executive of Victim Support Scotland (Image: Victim Support Scotland)

The charity asks that all volunteers can provide a minimum amount of time over the course of a year. In an effort to make volunteering with the organisation more accessible though, it has recently developed a new more flexible way of volunteering.

Kate added: “Our new four-hours per week initiative opens up even more options for full-time workers, students, and stay-at-home parents to make volunteering with VSS work around their lives.

"We hope this will allow more people in Helensburgh and Lomond to spend a small amount of time helping others and making a real difference in people’s lives."

For more information on Victim Support Scotland’s volunteering opportunities, visit victimsupport.scot/volunteertoday.