Charity seeks volunteers to support crime victims

Lawyer Jane Lynn volunteered to help Victim Support Scotland when she was unable to return to work after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

A charity is seeking volunteers to pledge four hours a week to help support victims and witnesses of crime in Scotland.

Victim Support Scotland is aiming to recruit 200 people to a role that it said has a "transformative impact".

Lawyer Jane Lynn, who volunteers in Edinburgh, said her involvement with VSS allowed her to maintain her connection to her profession when she was unable to return to work after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

She said: "It's made a big difference to me and the way I feel about myself and the contribution I feel I’m making to society."

Once enrolled volunteers receive hands-on training to enable them to provide free and tailored support, on an emotional and practical level.

Victim Support Scotland provides support to people before they attend court as witnesses or to follow proceedings

Ms Lynn said she was able to maintain her link to the law despite her health challenges.

She added: "I really missed being in the workplace but with VSS I was able to build my social network and connect with people in a different environment while challenging myself and building my confidence.

"I’m really enjoying being able to give back to the community. There’s really no downside to giving up a few hours of your week."

One of the charity's main roles is to provide advice around attending court as a witness or to attend a trial.

VSS also has dedicated facilities, including a remote court suite which offers victims and witnesses the opportunity to participate in trials away from the courtroom.

Kate Wallace, chief executive of Victim Support Scotland, said volunteers provide an invaluable service

Kate Wallace, VSS chief executive, said the teams provided a broad range of support.

She added: "Volunteers are the backbone of our organisation, and we need more of them across Scotland to ensure we can continue to deliver vital services to the people who need it most.

"Our work helps ease concerns and anxieties and offers comfort and hope to people in our own communities. Without volunteers, these services wouldn’t be possible."

VSS asks volunteers to provide a minimum amount of time over the year but recently developed a new more flexible way of volunteering.

Ms Wallace said: "Our new four-hours per week initiative opens up even more options for full-time workers, students and stay-at-home parents to make volunteering with VSS work around their lives.

"We hope this will allow more people to spend a small amount of time helping others and making a real difference in people’s lives."