Witness Support
8
Time for the opportunity:
This grid shows when you can volunteer for this organisation (e.g. Monday Morning)
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | |
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Morning | |||||||
Afternoon | |||||||
Evening |
Available volunteer contacts witness by telehpone beforehand. Rings them from a withheld number the night before they give evidence, meets them in a hotel foyer, at a train or tram stop, escorts them into the hearing centre (often avoiding the doctor). Volunteers take witnesses to an empty hearing room for familiarisation, and remain with witnesses throughout, sitting beside the witness whilst they give evidence, or in the public gallery a few feet behind. There can be a lot of waiting around.
Empathic, presentable, good listening and interpersonal skills; ability to interact with people at all levels - professionals/vulnerable individuals. Availability/flexibility to support witnesses often from 08:30 and occasionally to 17:30 on an occasional basis. Willingness to complete eLearning and four days classroom training, followed by a further day specific to the GMC service, observation of hearings and shadowing of experienced volunteers.