Scottish charity supporting people affected by crime is searching for volunteers to help victims and witnesses in Inverness

Scotland’s national charity supporting people affected by crime is searching for volunteers to help victims and witnesses in Inverness.

Victim Support Scotland (VSS) is on the lookout for anyone who can offer at least four hours per week and feels they can make a difference.

Volunteers will provide vital emotional and practical support to the people who need it most in their own community.

VSS is an independent charity that provides a range of bespoke, trauma-informed personal support to individuals and families dealing with the impact of any type of crime in Scotland.

This may involve providing advice during visits to court, including Inverness Sherriff Court, to help demystify the process, providing emotional support, signposting specialist or professional services or simply being there to listen.

All support is geared towards helping people find a way forward and to move on from trauma.

Due to the level of training and the kind of support required, as well as the need to build strong and lasting relationships, VSS is looking for people who plan to volunteer for a minimum of one year.

However, VSS offers flexible options to suit a broad range of lifestyles and are keen to speak to anyone who can offer at least four hours per week.

Emma Nicholson, 54, joined Victim Support Scotland’s Inverness volunteer team in October last year, and says the role “exceeded her expectations”.

She said: “I feel like I’m making a difference with every person I support.

“When you first speak to a victim of crime, particularly in domestic abuse cases, they’re ashamed and embarrassed and they can’t quite get the words out. But after a few more phone calls, they’re a completely different person – they’ve gone from a victim to a survivor.

“It really shows just how much of an impact we have on people’s lives. There’s lots of demand for support in Inverness, so having more volunteers on board will help us support more people.

“I wanted to spend my time doing something that worked my brain, helped others, and was sociable, as running my self-catering business can be lonely sometimes.

“Victim Support Scotland ticked all of those boxes and provided engaging and interesting training to ensure I was equipped for the role and supported me every step of the way.”

Once signed up, new volunteers will be fully supported, receiving in-depth training over 12 weeks to ensure they have the skills and resources they need.

James Whyte, head of volunteering at Victim Support Scotland, said: “Our volunteers are vital to the work we do. Without them, there would be many people dealing with the impact of crime who we simply wouldn’t be able to support.

“The relationships VSS volunteers build with the individuals and families they work with are lifelines and can have a truly transformational impact.

“Being affected by crime is often one of the most challenging and traumatic things a person will deal with in their life. Providing the right support at the right time is crucial to helping victims and witnesses move forward with their lives.

“We always aim to do whatever we can to ease concerns and anxieties, and offering comfort and hope to people in their own community is a big part of that. Having volunteers who know the region and can meet up in person, where appropriate, makes a huge difference.

“VSS is an inclusive organisation and we encourage anyone interested in volunteering to get in touch as we push towards supporting even more people affected by crime in Scotland.”

Visit for more information on Victim Support Scotland’s volunteering opportunities.

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