Our Vision...

No more victims of sexual harm

Driven by our aspiration to prevent sexual harm, we are a professional, forward-thinking independent charity, led by capable and committed people. Central to our delivery are carefully selected and trained volunteers who support, and hold accountable, people who have sexually harmed others, contributing to their safe integration into local communities.

As a volunteer with Circles South West you will be making an important contribution to preventing further sexual abuse by helping reduce the risk of sexual offending by known perpetrators. Circles give ‘core member’ a safe space to spend time with volunteers from their local community who have knowledge of their harmful behaviour and risk. Many core members suffer from social isolation, emotional loneliness and limited social skills. The Circle gives these individuals the opportunity to develop communication skills and to have any distorted thinking challenged.

Programmes we offer in Bristol:

Young People's Circles

Circles for people with Intellectual Disabilities

Young People’s Circles

The Young People's Project is a 'community Circle project' providing Circles of Support and Accountability for young people aged 10-20 who have shown harmful sexual behaviour and/or who have been convicted of sexual offences. The Circle will hold the young person accountable, support positive progress and challenge the individual about inappropriate attitudes, beliefs, thoughts and feelings. This project is primarily activity based and suitable for people who have an interest in working with young people and want to make a difference to a young person's future.

Intellectual Disabilities Circles

This 'community circles project' provides circles for adults with mild intellectual disabilities who have sexually harmed and/or been convicted of sexual offences. Volunteers need to be committed, have a patient demeanour and an interest in working with people with learning disabilities.

Circles provide a supportive social network to reduce isolation and build self-confidence whilst helping with things like work or schoolwork, finding new hobbies and making friends.

Circle volunteers encourage people to talk about their lives and any worries they may have whilst providing practical support with issues like jobs, housing and relationships.

Circle meetings take place once a week, on the same day, in the same location for a period of approximately 12 months. We ask that you can commit to this time frame when applying. Circles meet in a central, risk-assessed location, such as a community venue, for between 1-2 hours. Meeting are usually held in the afternoons or evenings and your Circle will be made up of 4-5 local volunteers.

Circles require volunteers to submit minutes of the meeting as well as other small admin tasks and so we ask that you be IT proficient and bear in mind this will be a small extra time consideration on top of your meeting time. Travel and other expenses are paid and you will require two references and an enhanced DBS check.

We have volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life and welcome applications from anyone over the age of 18. Volunteer must have a mature outlook and good communication skills. They will combine an empathic approach with the ability to maintain firm boundaries.

It is not necessary to have experience in this field, or to have volunteered previously. Our Circles are made up of people from the community and not professionals. It is more important that you are committed, reliable and trustworthy.

To equip you for this role, we provide a two-day specialist training and assessment event with other prospective volunteers, ongoing professional support and reimbursed expenses. Your appointment requires satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS Check.

You will need access to a computer or laptop to fulfil the admin part of this role. It would be helpful if you were proficient in Word and able to use e-mail.

You will need to be able to travel to Taunton for our 2 day training and assessment weekend (expenses are reimbursed).