VOLUNTEERS are being sought to help families deal with the emotional trauma of attending an inquest.

The new service is the latest initiative in a major overhaul of the Teesside Coroner’s Service, which had been dogged by delays in previous years.

Significant progress has been made to modernise the service over the last year, with a major backlog of cases cleared and an average completion time now among the best in the country.

Now the national charity the Coroners’ Court Support Service (CCSS) is set to launch on Teesside, offering invaluable support to family members and witnesses involved in inquest hearings.

The new service will provide support during hearings, as well as talking people through the inquest process and arranging visits to the court in advance.

CCSS volunteer co-ordinator Samantha Catt, who will run the new service, answering to the charity’s London head office, said: “Inquests can be quite a harrowing process, especially for those dealing with the loss of a close family member or loved one.

“The process can be bewildering, particularly if people don’t know what to expect, and that’s where our volunteers are able to help them understand how the system works and what they need to do.

“But it’s not for everyone, so rather than throw volunteers in at the deep end, we invite people to come in to observe and find out if it is actually for them.”

Those who go on to volunteer will be given a three-day training course in early October and will be asked to commit a minimum of two days a month with reasonable expenses reimbursed for travel to and from court.

Acting senior coroner for Teesside Clare Bailey said: “The CCSS provides an invaluable service for both the bereaved and witnesses at a time when they really need support.

“The service is being established in a number of coroner’s courts around the country and I am delighted that they will soon be establishing a presence in Teesside.”

Middlesbrough Mayor Dave Budd said: “A huge amount has been achieved by the Teesside Coroner’s Service over the last 18 months, and we remain committed to giving people the best possible service.

“The CCSS looks after all those involved in the inquest process from family members to the professionals who give evidence.”

For more information on the service visit coronerscourtssupportservice.org.uk

Anyone who would like to volunteer should e-mail info@ccsupport.org.uk or call Samantha Catt on 07496 613632.