A COMPASSIONATE new service starting in Bradford to support bereaved relatives at inquests has recruited ten volunteers after an appeal in the Telegraph & Argus.

Earlier this year Martin Fleming, West Yorkshire (Western District) Coroner, urged people to come forward and get involved in the scheme which is already being run in other inquest courts across the country.

Mr Fleming, whose jurisdiction covers Kirklees and Calderdale as well as Bradford, said he was delighted with the response as training got under way.

He had approached London-based charity Coroners’ Courts Support Service (CCSS), to see if it would set up the service in West Yorkshire after witnessing the good work its volunteers did elsewhere.

Bradford Council recognised the need to provide extra support for those attending inquests and agreed to Mr Fleming's request to fund the charity

Coroners court are different to criminal courts, no one is on trial and no one is blamed. Inquests deal with violent, unnatural or sudden deaths where the cause is unknown.

Bradford is the first service to be set up in Yorkshire, the volunteers will help greet relatives, explain procedure and protocol in court and provide a friendly face and emotional support to help families get through the inquest experience and feel more comfortable during their time of need.

Mr Fleming said: "Going to an inquest and being told about the last moments of a loved one’s life can be a difficult experience for anyone to go through. But a kind word here and a thoughtful gesture there can assist with the experience, making families feel more comfortable during their hour of need.”

He added: “I'm so very grateful that these ten dedicated members of the community have volunteered their time to support, guide and comfort bereaved families and witnesses in their time of need, and I'm privileged to be working alongside them.

"It cannot be underestimated how important these support workers are. If a kind word or thoughtful gesture on such a difficult day can help to ease someone's distress even fractionally, then we've succeeded.

"I'm very proud of these individuals, and the West Yorkshire Western community as a whole, for supporting this important initiative.”

Joanne Neill, West Yorkshire (Western Division) co-ordinator for the charity, said all the volunteers had attended inquests before training started to gain some experience and understand what is involved, where their help would be needed and how to do that."

The CCSS is a charity that started in 2002 by its founder trustees Roey Burden and Annie Hamilton after Mrs Burden went through a very difficult inquest process. The charity is dependent on fundraising to keep the service going and is always in need of donations.

The Bradford volunteers come from various people-related backgrounds that include teaching, nursing, civil servants, social work and carers, said Ms Neill.

Among them is Catherine Dobson, a 67-year-old retired caterer, who volunteered for the service because when she attended the inquest of her son 11 years ago she would have liked some support and felt that kind of help was still needed by others.

Bridget Hawley, 76, and a former magistrate, decided to volunteer after the death of her sister and wanted to use her time to support others.

Ms Neill said: "All volunteers come to the service with a lifetime of experience. They are attracted to our organisation because they are all, by nature, caring individuals.

"We adapt and fine-tune the skills they already have to fit the Coroners Court and supporting bereaved families and witnesses attending.

"The volunteers will be at court to offer practical help and emotional support. The volunteers can explain what to expect in court and will be able answer any general questions about the inquest process."

And she added: "All volunteers come to the service with a lifetime of experience. They are attracted to our organisation because they are all, by nature, caring individuals. We adapt and fine-tune the skills they already have to fit the Coroners Court and supporting bereaved families and witnesses attending."

To find out more about its work or to make donations go to coronerscourtssupportservice.org.uk.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can email info@ccsupport.org.uk.