Victim Support Scoops Award
NOTTINGHAM TEAM SCOOPS ROYAL AWARD
A team of 30 staff and volunteers are to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of their outstanding care for young witnesses. The specially trained team from Victim Support in Nottinghamshire’s Young Witness Service will be presented with the Award by Lord Andrew Buchanon, the Lord Lieutenant, at a special event in a few weeks.
Additionally 4 volunteers of the Young Witness Service have been invited to a summer garden party at Buckingham Palace in recognition of the award. The award-winning team work with children and young people aged between 5 and 17, tailoring the support to suit their specific needs. This can include visiting them at home to explain how the court works, arranging for them to look round the court before the trial, and supporting them throughout the case. They also work closely with young witnesses’ parents or carers, and other agencies, to make sure every witness gets the support they need and deserve.
The award winning team work with children and young witnesses aged between 5-17years taking the fear out of attending court and being a witness. The Young Witness Service explain how the courts work. Of the 1500 children the service has helped in the past 4 years, 90% of them say they would report a crime again and would go to court.
Olwen Edwards, Area Manager for Victim Support in Nottinghamshire said: “The YWS is a fabulous service. Many young people view court as a scary prospect, our service explains what will happen and reduces fear of the unknown. The award is a fantastic but deserved achievement for a dedicated team”
Previously Victim Support in Nottinghamshire won National Justice Award for their Outstanding Care for Witnesses two years running (2006/2007). They were also finalists in both the 2007 Queen’s Voluntary Awards and 2006 Nottingham City Council Proud of You Awards.
To find out more about Victim and Witness Support in Nottinghamshire and how you can get help or help out click here.