I have been volunteering with the Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) for half a year. PACT is a charity that supports friends and family of defendants in court. They seek to provide life-changing support for service users at every stage of the criminal justice system process whether in courts, prison, once they are released, or in their community.

I started volunteering with the UWL Volunteering Team in my first year, to spend some time away from my studies and meet new people. When I saw a position with PACT become available, it appealed to me as a way to volunteer that was highly relevant to my course and career.

My main duties involve directing individuals to their courts and introducing court users to their solicitors. Sometimes court users simply need to speak to someone about their concerns for their friends or family who have received their sentence. I can recall one court user who was worried about his partner who was due to be sentenced. He was also worried about losing his home and pets. After speaking with him and listening to his concerns, I recommended our PACT helpline for support alongside a helpline for legal advice. This interaction showed me how volunteers like me can really help service users.

Volunteering with PACT has been highly beneficial, providing a unique experience of working with vulnerable individuals in a court environment. My fellow volunteers and staff at the court have been immensely supportive and welcoming – I am glad I have been able to give back to the community. Volunteering has allowed me to meet so many people and hone valuable skills to aid me in my career.

I highly recommend volunteering to students who wish to better understand the environments they may be working in after graduation, or even just to relax and make new friends! And of course, the Volunteering Awards ceremony at the end of the year makes it worth the time and effort!