Do yourself justice - volunteer!
Get involved and volunteer in the Criminal Justice System
If you would like to do something different with your spare time that can make a difference to your local community then there are plenty of volunteering opportunities in the Criminal Justice System. There is a huge range of positions such as Magistrates, supporting victims of crime, Special Constables and mentoring offenders. Volunteers are a vital part of the system in Kent so if you would like to find out more then please read on.
Youth Offending Service and Youth Offending Team
Kent Police
A number of volunteer roles are available within Kent Police, so if you can spare between two and ten hours per week then there could be something for you. If you're interested in finding out more then call Volunteer Co-ordinator Catherine Mulholland on 01622 653212 or 07870 999885 for an informal chat or an application form. You can also e-mail at catherine.mulholland@kent.pnn.police.uk.
'If no one has ever thought about volunteering then I would say give it a try. It is an opportunity to meet and work with new people, doing something worthwhile for the community and supporting Kent Police in a difficult job.’
‘I’m so glad that I agreed to take it on. The people are great, the work is interesting and it is a very enjoyable and worthwhile use of my time.'
- Carole Myers, Assistant Secretary to Chief Inspector Gill Ellis at Swanley Police Station.
'Most people have a skill that can be used to good effect for the benefit of others. I’m good at communicating and accounts. The most rewarding thing about volunteering is the feedback I get from the public thanking me for letting them know about issues, and putting their minds at rest regarding the perception of crime.’
- Peter Rollington, Chairman of the West Kent Neighbourhood Watch Association (WKNWA).
Kent Probation Area
Volunteer mentors for Kent Probation Area can help people get back into work, assist with literacy or numeracy needs and work with partnership projects such as the resettlement of offenders upon release. To find out more then you can contact Margaret Greenway at the Kent Probation Mentor Unit on 01227 866636.
'This is the most life changing and rewarding job I have ever experienced. I cannot believe that the gift of time has changed these individuals' lives forever. I have a real sense of achievement every time I visit my lads and they have a real purpose to work forwards.'
- Sheena Keller, Kent Probation Area Mentor.
'We can either ignore the fact that there are people out and about who need help, or we can help. I'm lucky that I'm in a position where I'm able to give time and effort to people when and where I'm needed. If you've not tried it then give it a go, it can be very rewarding.'
- Martin Barrett, Kent Probation Area Mentor.
Youth Offending Service and Youth Offending Team
The Youth Justice System in Kent is supported by a number of volunteers making significant contributions. Positions range from mentoring a young person, acting as 'responsible adults' to support young people when being interviewed by the police or working as Youth Court magistrates. To find out more about volunteering in the Youth Offending Service visit www.kent.gov.uk/SocialCare/carers-and-family-support/youth-offending-service.
'With the comprehensive training and experience I have received from mediation, I consider myself and other mediator colleagues to be more than just volunteers. Giving up your time can not only help others, and in some cases provide a positive change to someone's life, it can provide you with new skills and satisfaction.'
- Stuart Robins, Mediator at Kent Youth Mentoring and Maidstone Mediation Scheme.
'By my own experience it changes your life completely. I know that through doing this I am a far better person because of what I have learnt and the experiences that I have had along the way. It has helped me to realise and become the person I want to be.'
- Lorraine Hanney, Mentor for Rainer Kent Mentoring Service.
Rainer Kent Mentoring Service provides mentoring for young people who are referred by the Youth Offending Service 16plus teams and those working with children in care. Mentoring is voluntary for all young people who are referred.
Mentoring requires a commitment of 1-2 hours per week. All training, travel, phone and activity expenses are paid for by the service and mentors are not expected to contribute financially to the scheme.
Her Majesty's Courts Service
Decisions in the Magistrates' Courts are made by Justices of the Peace who are volunteers. They do not have to be qualified and are given extensive training. People who sit in these courts deal with adult cases, youths and family work. New Magistrates are always being sought, and to find out more visit www.direct.gov.uk/en/CrimeJusticeAndTheLaw/Becomingamagistrate/index.htm
Her Majesty's Prison Service
Local communities are always being encouraged to get involved with local prisons and work with prisoners to give them a more positive outlook on life. Each prison has an Independent Monitoring Board appointed by the Home Secretary, which ensures an independent view on the running of a prison.
Independent Monitoring Boards perform a vital watchdog role on behalf of Ministers and the general public, in providing lay and independent oversight of prisons and immigration removal centres. Over 1800 unpaid volunteers within more than 150 establishments across the country have an increasingly valuable and important role to play in ensuring that people held in custody are being cared for decently and with humanity. Please visit www.imb.gov.uk.
For more information about the whole range of opportunities available go to: www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/careersandjobs.
'You will have a great opportunity to use your proffesional knowledge and skills in a very different environment. Your contribution will help someone and you won't be bored'.
- Euan Eddie, Independant Monitoring Board volunteer.
Victim Support and The Witness Service
Victim Support is a national charity helping victims of crime. Volunteers are crucial to their work and throughout the year there are many opportunities to get involved. Local volunteers are trained to give emotional support, information and practical help to people who have suffered the effects of all kinds of crime.
Going to court can also be a stressful experience for the witness to give evidence. Witness Service volunteers give emotional support and practical information to people attending court. The work includes offering witnesses a chance to visit the court before giving evidence, explaining court procedures and accompanying a victim or witness into the courtroom.
To find out more visit www.victimsupport.org.uk.
'I have met some lovely people over the past three years who have been going through a very difficult time. I hope that I have made lives a little easier whilst they made a recovery to enable them to move on with their lives.'
- Lance Fermor, Community volunteer for Victim Support in Mid and West Kent.
'I always feel that when I visit someone I've helped them, even if it's in a very small way and that is very rewarding. But I don't do it for my reward, I do it to help others. Time is the most precious thing you can give, it's easy to give money!'
- Merle Morgan-Oxford, Community volunteer for Victim Support.
Your experiences
If you are already a volunteer within the Criminal Justice System then we would like to hear from you for some future communications work. Please download the short questionnaire on this page and return it to the KCJB's Communications Officer at: dan.palmer@kent.pnn.police.uk.