The Justice Awards 2008
Hunts heroes shortlisted for Justice Awards!
Volunteers from the Huntingdon Witness Service have made it through to the second round of the prestigious Justice Awards.
The 13 volunteers, working for the charity Victim Support, are among just 10 teams nationwide shortlisted for their outstanding achievement in caring for witnesses.
The Huntingdon Witness Service volunteers were nominated for the Justice Awards by Witness Service manager Sue Hunt, who praised their incredible dedication.
She said: “I would like their team spirit recognised, together with the level of professionalism shown in their support work which has not wavered despite constant disruptions over the years.”
During the past seven years that the Huntingdon Witness Service has been operating, its members have had to relocate several times. In the beginning they rented a building behind the old Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court because there wasn’t space to accommodate them in the actual courthouse.
Mrs Hunt said: “The building had seen better days, was very cold in winter, stifling in summer and was isolated from the court.”
Together with security personnel, the volunteers had accompanied witnesses across to the courthouse so that they could give evidence.
When their lease expired in 2006, the Huntingdon team moved to the top floor of the Town Hall, also used for Coroners’ inquests, council meetings and training.
Ms Hunt said: “As a result we had to prepare the room daily, moving tables and chairs, and pack our belongings away nightly.”
The Huntingdon Witness Service finally found a permanent home in the Huntingdon Law Courts, which opened fully for business in October 2007.
The Witness Service volunteers immediately set about establishing good relationships with Court staff and Crown Prosecution Service employees. For the first time they dealt with witnesses giving evidence in Crown Court trials.
The team have gone above and beyond the call of duty, supporting Victim Support at meetings and events and attending fundraising drives together. Where possible they car pool to save on transportation costs.
The Justice Awards is a scheme recognising those who have gone the extra mile to improve justice in their communities. Nationally there have been 700 entries this year.
The Huntingdon Witness Service was among nine individuals and teams to be nominated this year from Cambridgeshire. The other nominees were:
Psychology and Programmes Unit (PPU), Littlehey Prison
Outstanding contribution to working with offenders
Lyndsey Cheeseman, HMP Whitemoor
Outstanding contribution to working with offenders
Anthea Dodson, Criminal Justice Unit, Cambridgeshire Constabulary
Outstanding achievement in caring for witnesses
Wisbech Fire Station
Outstanding contribution to tackling youth crime (young people under the age of 18)
Jasmine Bennett, Cambridgeshire Youth Offending Service
Outstanding contribution to tackling youth crime (young people under the age of 18)
Cambridgeshire Trading Standards and Cambridgeshire Police
Outstanding contribution to tackling youth crime (young people under the age of 18)
Cambridgeshire Probation Victim Contact Team
Outstanding contribution to tackling youth crime (young people under the age of 18)
Tony Smith, Peterborough Magistrates' Court
Long service award for continued commitment and dedication
Congratulations also to Mick Walker, from Probation, who won our prize draw for nominators and scored himself an iPod Shuffle!
Justice Awards finalists will be announced next month. Best of luck to the Huntingdon Witness Service volunteers!!