Criminology Volunteers Directory 2018

Develop and apply your criminology studies.

Build relevant work experience for your future career.

To discuss your specific careers and employability needs, please contact the
Birkbeck Careers and Employability Service via Twitter, email or online. See
here for upcoming events.

 Organisations are clustered into criminology-related themes and issues, and
are in alphabetical order. There are brief descriptions next to each
organisation. Some link directly to volunteer opportunities, while others offer
information about how to achieve a volunteer role.

 Links will take you to national and London-based opportunities. To discuss
opportunities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as specific
English towns and cities, contact the Birkbeck Careers and Employability
Service or criminology department Careers and Internships Co-
ordinator Rachael Dobson.

 Look at an organisation's requirements to be sure that the location, time
commitment, training opportunities and ethos are what you want.

 Note that the views and aims of organisations are independent of Birkbeck
College. Some organisations will work with sensitive issues and people.
Research an organisation thoroughly, talk to an organisation before you sign
up, and discuss any concerns you have with the Birkbeck Careers and
Employability Service or criminology department Careers and Internships Co-
ordinator Rachael Dobson.

 The Prison Reform Trust has produced a guide to volunteering and achieving
change in the criminal justice system, and this is available to you at the bottom
of the page.

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Crimestoppers, 'For over 25 years we have helped people who want to stop crime
that hurts them, their family, and their community. Our anonymous service gives
them the opportunity to speak out when their personal circumstances could
silence them.'

Fearless, 'Fearless is a service that allows you to pass on information about crime
100% anonymously. This means you don't have to give us any personal details.'

Neighbourhood Watch, 'Our aim is to bring neighbours together to create strong,
friendly, active communities where crime and anti-social behaviour are less likely
to happen.'

Crown Prosecution Service, 'All local Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) areas
have at least one local scrutiny and involvement panel, made up of independent
members from the community and CPS staff.'

Independent Advisory Groups, 'Groups of community representatives who meet
with police to provide feedback, advice and a community perspective on a range
of local policing issues.'

Independent Custody Visiting Association, 'Promotes and supports the effective
provision of custody visiting nationally.'

Independent Monitoring Boards, 'Inside every prison, immigration removal
centre and some short term holding facilities at airports, there is an Independent
Monitoring Board (IMB) – a group of ordinary volunteer members of the public
doing an extraordinary job.'

Become a Magistrate, 'Magistrates are volunteers who hear cases in courts in their
community. They can hear cases in the criminal court, the family court, or both.'

Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) 'lay advisors contribute
to the monitoring and evaluation of the operation of MAPPA in their area.'

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National Appropriate Adult Network, 'Safeguard the interests of vulnerable
people who are suspected of a criminal offence, ensuring that they are able to
participate effectively and are treated in a fair and just manner.'

National Association of Official Prison Visitors, 'Promotes and helps to maintain
the work of Official Prison Visitors.'

Police Support Volunteer, 'Placed in office-based and non-operational roles to
help us to deliver a better service to the public'

Special Constable, 'Volunteer police officers working alongside regular police
officers'

Youth Justice Board, 'Supporting a young person who has offended'

Community Chaplaincy Association, 'Work alongside prisoners, ex-prisoners and
their families, offering mentoring and holistic support within prison, through the
gates and out in the community.'

Caring for Ex-Offenders, 'Reduce reoffending by reintegrating ex-offenders into
society through the local church'

Mosaic, 'Inspires young people from deprived communities to realise their talents
and potential.'

Muslim Youth Helpline, 'Provides pioneering faith and culturally sensitive
services to Muslim youth in the UK.'

Pact, 'Provides support to prisoners, people with convictions, and their families.'

Street Pastors, 'Trained volunteers from local churches who care about their
community. They patrol in teams of men and women, usually from 10 p.m. to 4
a.m. on a Friday and Saturday night.'

Street Angels, 'The umbrella organisation for around 130 local projects working
within the night-time economy across the UK and in America, Netherlands,
Spain, Seychelles, Australia and Brasil.'

Street Ministers, 'Established by Christians from various churches - all
working together to include various help agencies to help the vulnerable and
disenfranchised, just as the Bible calls Christians to do.'

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Town Pastors, 'Christian volunteers from local churches who are out in town
centres on Friday and/or Saturday nights, being a positive influence on the streets
and providing help and support to vulnerable people.'

Clinks, 'Volunteer mentoring opportunities, supporting voluntary organisations
that work with offenders and their families'

Just People, 'Recruits, trains and vets volunteers to work in various settings in the
criminal justice system, to help reduce offending.'

Do-It, 'Find a volunteering opportunity near you'

Volunteering England, 'We are committed to supporting, enabling and
celebrating volunteering in all its diversity.'

Prisoners’ Advice Service, 'Offers free legal advice and support to adult prisoners
throughout England and Wales regarding their human and legal rights,
conditions of imprisonment and the application of Prison Law and the Prison
Rules.'

Detention Advice Service, 'Seek to provide accurate information about
immigration policies and procedures to take the guesswork out of migrating to
the UK.'

Bail for Immigration Detainees, 'Provides legal advice and representation to
migrants detained in removal centres and prisons to secure their release alongside
research and policy advocacy to effect change.'

Bar Pro Bono Unit, 'Helps to find pro bono (free) legal assistance from volunteer
barristers.'

Free Representation Unit, 'Provides representation in employment and social
security hearings. We help people who are not eligible for legal aid and cannot
afford lawyers.'

Release, 'Provides free non-judgmental, specialist advice and information to the
public and professionals on issues related to drug use and to drug laws.'

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Shelter, 'Helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or
homelessness through our advice, support and legal services.'

SANE, 'Responding to people who contact us for emotional support, information
or guidance about mental health problems.'

Unlock, 'Provides a voice and support for people with convictions who are facing
stigma and obstacles because of their criminal record, often long after they have
served their sentence.'

Circles (note, serious sexual offenders), 'Build safer communities through local
volunteers working with sex offenders to minimise alienation, support
reintegration and so prevent sexual reoffending.'

Fine Cell Work, Trains prisoners in paid, skilled, creative needlework. Prisoners
are taught and supported by volunteers from the Embroiderers and Quilters
Guild. The prisoners are paid for their work, which is then sold around the
world.

FPWP Hibiscus, 'Befrienders visit and write to foreign national and black, Asian
and minority ethnic women in prison in England.'

Mentoring and Befriending Foundation, 'A national training programme of
courses for organisations delivering mentoring and befriending projects'

New Bridge Foundation, 'Provide emotional support for prisoners who are
isolated and lack the support of family or friends.'

Prisoners Abroad, 'Provide a lifeline for British citizens and their families during
and after imprisonment overseas.'

Prison Fellowship, 'We seek through prayer and practical care to help, support
and develop a Christian ministry to prisoners and their families.'

Samaritans, The Samaritans service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the
year, to provide emotional support for anyone who is struggling to cope, feels that
life is too much to bear or that everything is just weighing too heavily on their
mind. Prisoners can contact Samaritans, free of charge, from any prison in the
UK either by telephone or post.

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St Giles Trust, 'Helping people facing severe disadvantage to find jobs, homes
and the right support they need.'
The Prince’s Trust, 'Help 11 to 30 year-olds who are unemployed or struggling at
school to transform their lives.'

Restorative Justice Council, 'Provides quality assurance and a national voice
advocating the widespread use of all forms of restorative practice, including
restorative justice.'
Prison Fellowship, 'We seek through prayer and practical care to help, support
and develop a Christian ministry to prisoners and their families.'
The Forgiveness Project, 'Collects and shares stories from individuals and
communities who have rebuilt their lives following hurt and trauma.'

Prison Reform Trust, 'Works to create a just, human and effective penal system.'
Howard League for Penal Reform, 'A national charity working for less crime,
safer communities, fewer people in prison.'
Liberty, 'Campaigns for civil liberties and human rights in the UK.'
Amnesty International UK, 'Work to protect women, men and children wherever
justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.'
UNLOCK, 'Provides a voice and support for people with convictions who are
facing stigma and obstacles because of their criminal record, often long after they
have served their sentence.'
Women In Prison, 'Supporting women to avoid and exit the criminal justice
system. Campaigning for the radical changes needed to deliver support services
and justice for women.'

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Action for Prisoners Families, 'Works for the benefit of prisoners' and offenders'
families by supporting families who are affected by imprisonment.'
Phoenix Futures London, 'A charity and housing association which has been
helping people overcome drug and alcohol problems for more than 45 years.'
Prisoners’ Families and Friends Service London/National, 'Provides practical
help for prisoners' families through information and advice, befriending, a
helpline, family centres, and help at court.'
Pact, 'A national charity that provides support to prisoners, people with
convictions, and their families.'
Safe Ground, 'Works to promote relationship skills as tools for empowering
people to change, so reducing the risk of reoffending and building stronger
communities.'
Spurgeons London, 'Through the delivery of support and intervention services,
and by speaking up on behalf of those who need us most, we give vulnerable
children and families the chance for a better future.'

Charitees are managed and administered by Trustees, who are volunteers. Look
for Trustee vacancies at these websites:
NCVO, 'We are committed to supporting, enabling and celebrating volunteering
in all its diversity.'
Do-It, 'Find a volunteering opportunity near you'

Rape Crisis (England & Wales), 'A national charity and the umbrella body for our
network of independent member Rape Crisis Centres.'
Victim Support, 'Our volunteers play a wide range of vital roles within Victim
Support, providing emotional and practical support to people affected by crime,

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supporting our office teams with project work or administration, and raising
much-needed funds.'

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