High Sheriff of West Sussex visits the Coroners’ Court Support Service

High Sheriff of West Sussex Dr Tim Fooks, in his weekly briefing on projects in the county, visits the Coroners’ Court Support Service.
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Attending an Inquest at a Coroner’s Court can be a traumatizing experience for family and friends and, at a recent meeting facilitated by Penny Schofield, Senior Coroner for West Sussex, I had the pleasure of meeting the Coroners’ Courts Support Service (CCSS) volunteers who support those facing these unusual and very difficult events at the Coroner’s Court in Crawley.

Bee and Ninetta, two volunteers with CCSS, told me of their experience of being there to meet bereaved families as they arrive at court and how a caring friendly face makes such a difference to people arriving for an Inquest.

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They stressed the importance of their listening skills and the ability to provide practical help even down to a cup of tea. Bee said: “Our help, together with the support of the staff and Coroners often enables bereaved families to play their part within the inquest.”

Penelope Schofield, senior coroner for West Sussex, Paul Mellish, volunteer coordinator for the Crawley court, Bee and Ninetta, two CCSS volunteers, and High Sheriff of West Sussex Dr Tim FooksPenelope Schofield, senior coroner for West Sussex, Paul Mellish, volunteer coordinator for the Crawley court, Bee and Ninetta, two CCSS volunteers, and High Sheriff of West Sussex Dr Tim Fooks
Penelope Schofield, senior coroner for West Sussex, Paul Mellish, volunteer coordinator for the Crawley court, Bee and Ninetta, two CCSS volunteers, and High Sheriff of West Sussex Dr Tim Fooks

Over 900 people were supported at Crawley Coroner’s Court by the CCSS volunteers during 2019/20 and, in 2019, the Crawley team celebrated their fifth anniversary.

Paul Mellish, Volunteer Coordinator for the Crawley Court, highlighted the extensive training provided to volunteers. This consists of an initial interview, observation of a variety of Inquests followed by a three-day training course.

If the potential volunteer is accepted and willing to continue the role they will shadow an experienced volunteer and watch how they support families and witnesses before taking on that role themselves. Once they and the Coordinator are confident they can volunteer on their own at Court, they will become a fully trained volunteer.

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The volunteers are given ongoing support through both team and Regional Meetings and the staff are always available to offer advice. The charity is currently recruiting volunteers to join the Crawley team on the Do.it.org website.

Joining us at the meeting was the Founder Trustee, Roey Burden, who set up the Service in 2003 after a tragic family accident that warranted an Inquest. At the time, she was a volunteer with the Witness Service in the Magistrates Court and assumed there would be similar support at their Inquest. There was nothing and only one Coroner’s Officer to manage the four Inquests taking place that morning. As a result, everyone went into Court at the same time and had to listen to all the Inquests. After the family’s inquest concluded they came out of the Court and just collapsed with grief. It was a truly awful moment with no help available.

Together with a friend, Annie, she set up the Coroners’ Courts Support Service in the Westminster Coroner’s Court and it is now helping in 45 of the 85 Coroners’ Areas across the country and has grown from 2 volunteers to 400.

From the start, the vision has always been that there should be CCSS volunteers in every Coroner’s Court in England and Wales and that no one should be without the support and help they deserve when attending an Inquest.

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Through the Helpline – 0300 111 2141 – they are now offering bereavement support to all residents in West Sussex who have been affected by COVID-19 deaths in the community, as well as requests for support and information relating to the Inquest process.

The CCSS receives no central government funding and relies on donations, grants and contributions from Local Authorities so there are continual ongoing fundraising applications. However, they have been allocated a BBC Radio 4 Appeal to be aired on 31st January 2021 which will hopefully generate additional funds so that they can continue to support families at Inquests in the future.

• The High Sheriff’s Special Recognition Volunteer Award is still accepting nominations for individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary acts of thoughtfulness and kindness, in a purely voluntary capacity, during the Covid crisis. The closing date is 30th September 2020. More information and nomination forms can be requested from the High Sheriff’s office by email: [email protected]

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