Telephone Support Service
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic our volunteers were unable to attend court and provide our support. In response to this we developed the Telephone Support Service. We wanted to ensure we could still offer our support to those attending inquest whilst we could not physically be at court. We have trained over 100 volunteers from all corners of the country to offer specialised local support using the telephone.
Our trained volunteers can guide people through what will happen on the day of the Inquest and will have local knowledge of the area and how the court works and can chat to people on the phone to explain what to expect at the specific court where they will be attending. Our local volunteers have honed their support skills so that bereaved families, witnesses and others can still benefit from the support our volunteers can offer. They will guide people through the Inquest process and will give you emotional support to help them through a very difficult time in their bereavement. By making contact with our Telephone Support Service, people attending an Inquest are often less anxious and are clearer in their role within the Inquest process when we have been able to support them on the telephone.
Referral Process
The CCSS operates an open referral policy so anyone can make a referral to our Telephone Support Service and people can also self refer. A referral can be done in a variety of ways.
- Ring our national helpline on 0300 111 2141
- Email our national helpline – helpline@ccss.org.uk
- Complete our electronic referral form by following this link – electronic referral form
Although this service was set up in response to the challenge of Covid-19, we will continue to deliver this service once we have returned to offering physical support at court.