People choose to volunteer for a variety of reasons. For some it offers the chance to give something back to the community or make a difference to the people around them. For others it provides an opportunity to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge. Regardless of the motivation, what unites them all is that they find it both challenging and rewarding.
Our volunteers are chosen to be there for people facing a difficult situation. We totally rely on our volunteer workforce. Some are retired, many have full time jobs, men and women of many cultures and beliefs – they are all people helping people. Some of our volunteers have been supported as victims themselves.
Victim Support volunteers make an essential contribution to the well being of our communities. Volunteers, and the staff who support them, are at the heart of Victim Support’s work.
Last year our 239 volunteers and 20 staff responded to 1,916 victims of serious crime or trauma.
We recruit, train and supervise front-line volunteers who deliver direct support in the victims’ home, at police stations, at the scene, in court and in the community. Our volunteer Support Workers are our front line people. They are carefully selected and receive intensive training that continues at regular intervals.
Our free service provides emotional and practical support, information, financial assistance, referral to other support services and advocacy for the rights of victims. This support helps victims find strength, hope and safety in the face of grief and trauma.
It is widely accepted that victims of crime who are not provided adequate support in the immediate aftermath are at greater risk of experiencing things such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and repeat victimization.
Victim Support is a free 24 x 7 community response to someone dealing with, in some cases, the worst time of their life. People who receive adequate support and information from our volunteer Support Workers are more likely to remain connected in a positive way with their friends, family and local community and are better placed to rebuild their lives.
Below are some of the reasons people choose to volunteer. For some it provides an opportunity to:
- Give something back to an organisation that has impacted on a person’s life, either directly or indirectly
- Make a difference to the lives of others
- Help the environment
- Help others less fortunate or without a voice
- Feel valued and part of a team
- Spend quality time away from work or a busy lifestyle
- Gain confidence and self-esteem
For some, volunteering can be a route to employment, or a chance to try something new which may lead to a career change. From this perspective, volunteering can be a way of:
- Gaining new skills, knowledge and experience
- Developing existing skills and knowledge
- Enhancing a CV
- Improving one’s employment prospects
- Gaining an accreditation
- Using one’s professional skills and knowledge to benefit others (usually described as pro bono)
For others, volunteering appeals because of its social benefits. These include:
- Meeting new people and making new friends
- A chance to socialise
- Getting to know the local community