A Day in the Life of the Witness Service
A day in the life of Mark Geraghty, Preston Crown Court Witness Service Manager, Victim Support - Lancashire
8am – Negotiate the traffic and follow the line of road works that leads to Preston on my way to work. Buy milk on my way from the car park for victims’ and witnesses’ cups of tea and coffee.
9am – Collect the keys from security and open up the witness waiting area, before briefing the volunteers on the people that require their assistance. Liaise with court-based staff from other agencies to find out which cases they’re dealing with. Receive referrals of people that require the assistance of Witness Service and action accordingly.
11am – When all expected witnesses have arrived, check emails and plan for the next day’s workload – how many trials and witnesses are expected and how many volunteers will be needed to provide our service. Check with the volunteers on the progress of this day’s cases and how they and the witnesses are.
1pm – Have lunch and brief volunteers before they conduct lunchtime pre-court visits (PCVs) with witnesses before the day of trial, so that the witnesses are well prepared to give evidence and less daunted by the prospect. After the PCVs, the volunteers and I discuss the support needs of the witnesses and take steps to ensure that they receive all the support that we can offer.
3pm – Collate statistics on work undertaken with victims, witnesses and their families and friends in order to monitor the service and to provide information to the Home Office and other funding providers. Refer people to Victim Support District offices for further support after the trial. Provide support to the volunteers before they leave for home.
5pm – Hand the keys back to the security guards and give a cheery wave to Linda on reception as I exit the building.
7pm – Think about going for a run or a cycle, then have some food and check Sky Sports News for any crucial news that I’ve missed during the day.
9pm – Feed Pepe and Alonso (guinea pigs), and adopted pets – Craig the hamster and Madonna the cockatiel (it’s a long story!).
And to bed ready for another day………