A GROUP which helps and holds to account sex offenders in a bid to reduce reoffending is seeking new volunteers.

Circles South West is made up of volunteers in groups of four or five who regularly meet with an offender to offer support and guidance in a bid to stop them reoffending.

Due to the success of the project, Swindon and Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Angus Macpherson has awarded the scheme funding from the Innovation Fund, with the group now looking for extra volunteers to aid the expansion.

“Our volunteers do something amazing. Their involvement helps protect children, young people and vulnerable adults from sexual harm,” said Jo Burden, Circles South West’s project director.

“They do this by providing a circle of support and accountability which both monitors and supports sexual offenders in their community.”

The group aims to address concerns most sexual offenders are released from prison back into the community, with many experiencing social isolation and loneliness which can result in further offending.

A circle can help prevent further offending by working with the offender to support, but also to hold to account, by challenging attitudes and behaviours that signal a risk to the community, the group says, with concerns reported to the appropriate authority and acted upon.

Circles’ volunteers are community-minded adults of all ages, from all walks of life.

Volunteers need to be non-judgemental, emotionally stable and approachable.

“Circles South West values the extraordinary commitment of our volunteers who make a real difference to people’s lives, supporting community safety and helping to prevent further victims,” a spokesman added.

To volunteer, or For more information, contact Circles South West at volunteering.circlessw@gmail.com or call Sara Radford on 07771 333553.