VICTIM Support is appealing for more volunteers after the number of referrals to the charity rose by 16 percent in the last year.
Despite there being no increase in crime more people are requesting help and support from the charity.
Volunteers are required to help victims of crime and their families come to terms with the emotional and practical problems which follow a crime by providing them with a free confidential support and information.
This includes making contact with victims to offer support, arranging to visit victims in their own homes to talk to them, helping them overcome social and behavioural effects of crime, offering information on police and court procedure, helping with insurance claims and offering crime prevention information.
Victim Support volunteer Mike said: "I volunteer to help people. In terms of court we can help people who are anxious prior to court. We can calm them down and metaphorically hold their hand through the process. We are a conduit to help people along the road who would otherwise find it difficult without our help."
Volunteers must be over 18 and under 85 and have good communication skills, be open minded and non judgemental, have the ability to exercise confidentiality, have the ability to get on with people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds and have good interpersonal skills. Most volunteers give up a morning or afternoon per week.
Another volunteer Jean said: "I try to put something back into the community to help people who find themselves worse off. I get job satisfaction. Most are just so grateful for us just by being there for them. We are a friendly face to help them and can accompany them to court if they are nervous or need company."
No previous experience is necessary as full training will be given. Additional training can also be given to those volunteers who wish to work with people who have suffered serious crimes such as the victims of sexual violence and families of murder victims.
As well as having comprehensive training volunteers will receive regular supervision and also have the opportunity to meet with other volunteers to attend workshops and seminars.
The next training course starts on Saturday, January 8. Anyone interested should contact Victim Support on 01624 679950 or by e-mail iomvictimsupport@manx.net.
Also see: 92 percent increase in sexual assault victims speaking out
