A SERVICE providing support for bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Bournemouth inquests has appealed for more volunteers to join their team.

The Coroner’s Court Support Service (CCSS), a charity started in 2003, started providing its service in Bournemouth in January 2020.

After pausing due to the Covid pandemic, the charity is up and running in Bournemouth again and needs 11 volunteers to join its team.

Susanne O’Brien, south west volunteer coordinator, said: “We are there to offer emotional and practical support for those attending inquests.

“We are there to be somebody by their side through the process and we can offer some practical information if they have questions before going to court.

“The emotional support is a big element, we train our volunteers so they are very knowledgeable about the process.

“It makes a fundamental difference to their experience. For the large majority they have not experienced it at all, it’s very unusual and can be overwhelming and bewildering.”

Ms O’Brien said the volunteers need to be 18 and older and have  an interest in supporting people at a difficult time in their lives.

They need to be able to commit to two full days a month for at least a year and will receive full training over three days.

Volunteers are asked to register their interest before the end of August to www.coronerscourtssupportservice.org.uk.