We work in courts, prisons, and communities, helping families navigate the criminal justice system by offering advice, advocacy, information, and emotional support.
Where We Work
Court
Our volunteers support and advise families throughout trial and sentence in all the Sussex Courts.
Prisons
We work closely with local prisons enhancing visits and family days by providing volunteers and resources. We can advocate on behalf of families trying to contact prisons.
Community
We provide a first stop advice line, one to one support, support groups and family activities. We also run arts projects and showcase families’ artwork
What does the opportunity involve doing?
Volunteers in this role will attend a Sussex magistrates or crown court on an
agreed day either once a week or fortnightly. The purpose of this role is to promote the
organisation and our services to Court staff and legal professionals as well as provide vital
information and support to families and friends when someone close to them is sentenced or
remanded to custody.
The role involves full training and provides a rare opportunity to work in the criminal
courts for those interested in pursuing a career in criminal justice.
• We ask that volunteers are available to attend court (In either Crawley, Lewes, Brighton,
Worthing, Chichester, Horsham or Hastings) at least one-half day every fortnight for a
minimum period of six months.
• Volunteers should be available for at least a morning or afternoon during court hours,
which are usually 9.00am – 4.00pm.
• Volunteers will be required to attend an interview and provide two independent references.
• Volunteers must attend all the training sessions
What induction, training and support is offered?
• Initial training, guidance and induction to the role
• Ongoing learning, development and support
• Regular information regarding the activities of SPF
• Reimbursement of agreed travel and refreshments expenses in accordance with SPF
policy
We welcome applications from those with lived experience of the criminal justice system.
What skills or qualities are needed?
• To have an interest in the needs of prisoners’ families
• To be professional and reliable
• To be friendly and approachable
• To be empathetic
• To have excellent listening and verbal communication skills
• To have the ability to communicate confidently with a wide range of people
• To work well in a team
• To be able to work well independently
• To be respectful of the traditions of the Courts
• To be non-judgemental
• Volunteers must be available to attend court at least one-half day every fortnight for a
minimum period of six months.
• To work within boundaries and in accordance with the organisation’s policies and
procedures
• To have the ability to fill out basic records (monitoring sheets) about information given
out at Court and return to the office for our statistics
• To be available to attend training, support and development sessions
Date added
4th March 2022
Organisation
Location
39-41 Surrey Street,
Brighton,
BN1 3PB
Deadline for applications
20 Mar 2022
Categories
Children/families Other groups Prisoners, offenders and their families
Activities
Advocacy/advice Other activities
Disabled access?
No
Expenses paid?
Yes
Childcare available?
No
Contact name
Clementine Manning
Phone number
+447436685736
Email address
clem@sussexprisonersfamilies.org.uk
https://www.sussexprisonersfamilies.org.uk/volunteering/
