'Appropriate Adults' needed to help vulnerable in custody

It is the responsibility of custody sergeants to identify the need for and secure an independent AA

More volunteers are needed support vulnerable people in Gloucestershire while they are in police custody.

"Appropriate Adults" are trained to ensure the legal rights of young people aged 17 or under and adults with mental health or learning disabilities.

The team works for the organisation Caring for Communities and People (CCP) and monitors the welfare of detainees.

"It's a really rewarding role, just to help somebody in that situation," said senior administrator, Rachael Kent.

"We would welcome anyone with any availability," said Rachael Kent, who co-ordinates the Appropriate Adults team and is looking for more volunteers.

The service has operated in Gloucestershire since 1993 and Wiltshire since 2014.

The Appropriate Adults attend more than 850 calls per year helping anyone whose parents, guardians or carers are unable, or unwilling, to attend; something which is required by law.

Speaking to BBC Gloucestershire, Ms Kent said: "We have 15-20 volunteers at the moment, working seven days a week from nine in the morning until 10 at night.

"We would welcome anyone with any availability, even if only one shift a week of four or five hours.

"We struggle in the evenings, that's always tricky.

"Sometimes we get calls at 9 o'clock at night and we need to send somebody out even though our service finishes at 10.

"You never know who's going to be brought in and whether they need an Appropriate Adult," added Ms Kent.

Andrew has been an Appropriate Adult volunteer for 12 years since retiring and said: "it's an opportunity to give something back to the community

Making a difference

Andrew, who has been volunteering for 12 years, said: "I retired after 40 years at GCHQ and this is an opportunity to give something back to the community and do something that really makes a difference."

Another volunteer, Angela, who has been working for the service for 12 months, said: "We are there to care and listen and to try and build trust so that in that moment they're with you, if there's anything they want to talk about, they can open up.

"It's important that we try and understand what their needs are, otherwise we can't support them properly," agreed Julie, who has also been volunteering for a year.

"For example, someone with a learning difficulty might need a bit more time when questions are asked during a police interview and we would make sure they are given that opportunity," she added.

"The odd case really touches home," said Alan, who has been an Appropriate Adult for six months.

"Maybe because you relate to it in some way, but there are plenty of times when I come away thinking, wow, I've really helped today and they've really got value out of that and I'm really happy I came down."

Julie has been volunteering with the Appropriate Adults service for just over a year.

The main police custody suite is in Quedgeley, so the service is always looking for Appropriate Adults in that area.

However, there is currently also a shortage in Coleford and the Forest of Dean areas.

Volunteers must be aged 18 or over.