Overcoming obstacles in family court
After two years of endless paperwork, court hearings and delays, we’re pleased to say that Mark* can finally see his child. We first met…
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Women involved in the justice system
Thanks to The Southall Trust, we are piloting a new approach for women involved in the justice system in Plymouth. On top of our…
Court delays affect mental health
Exeter student volunteer reveals how court delays can affect the mental health of people going through the justice system. Saskia balances volunteering with…
Emma shares her ADHD story
Emma wants to share her ADHD story so that other women feel understood. Facing criminal charges Unfortunately, Emma found herself at Exeter Crown…
Call for everyday heroes to step forward as magistrates
Our Truro team recently welcomed Hannah Bondi, Policy and Research Officer at the Magistrates’ Association. She met with our Cornwall Coordinators, along with some…
Volunteer Trudy applies a trauma-informed approach
After a career in full time education, Trudy is now using her people skills and trauma-informed approach to support people through court. As a…
Poppy finds solutions to complex problems at court
Volunteer Poppy has been with us since January 2025. She’s building her legal future with our team at Exeter Crown and County Court. Over…
Improving access to dental care
Recently, we’ve worked with our local dentistry school to help improve access to dental care for people affected by the justice system. Poverty…
Navigating domestic abuse, breakup and family court
This is Lizzie’s journey of navigating domestic abuse, breakup and family court. The breakup of a long-standing relationship is enough for anyone. But, for…
Welcoming the new child focussed courts
‘We welcome these reforms of the family justice system and look forward to the roll out across the country. Whilst supporting litigants in person…
Extra funding for magistrates’ courts welcome
CASS+ has welcomed the announcement by the Justice Secretary David Lammy, of an additional £247 million funding for the crown and magistrates’ courts. …
Nicole grows her legal knowledge
After graduating from the University of Falmouth with a degree in English and Creative Writing, Nicole has decided upon a legal career. She is…
Criminal Justice Reform
Steve Parker, our CEO, recently attended the HMCTS Public Engagement Group (PEG) Conference in London. This was a chance to hear first-hand from government…
Media statement on the Sentencing Act
The Government’s Sentencing Bill received Royal Assent in January this year. The new Act follows recommendations from an independent review led by David Gauke…
Everyone needs help with something
Ellie, our Social Work placement from the University of Plymouth, takes great pleasure in helping people. And sometimes, what seems straightforward to her can…
People need support
We first met Rachel two years ago at a careers event at the University of Plymouth. This was a lightbulb moment for Rachel who picks…
Perfect student placement
Social work student placements are the perfect student placement. Students studying at the University of Plymouth get invaluable six months’ experience. Working alongside our…
Help is at hand
Help is at hand if you live in Cornwall and you have been impacted by a family member going through the Criminal Justice System.…
Expert voices
Over the last two years, we have supported 468 people through the family courts in Devon and Cornwall. It was a real honour to…
From homelessness to hope
This is Amber’s story from homelessness to hope. She wants to share this journey to give hope to those going through family court without…
Centre for Justice Innovation publishes evaluation findings
Today, the Centre for Justice Innovation published the full evaluation of our family court support in Devon and Cornwall. Supporting people representing themselves For…
We welcome the government response to the Leveson Review
In a statement yesterday, the Rt Hon David Lammy MP, Secretary of State for Justice, outlined his proposals to radically change the justice system…
Kimberley turned her mistake into an opportunity
Kimberley* has taken responsibility and turned her mistake into an opportunity for growth and change. Yes, it was a big mistake and she went…
Emily excelled as a volunteer in Exeter
Emily excelled as a volunteer in Exeter. We were sorry to say goodbye to her this summer, but we want to celebrate her achievements.…
20th anniversary celebration
On 16th October, employees, volunteers, supporters and past clients gathered at the stunning Boconnoc Estate to mark our 20th anniversary. We came together to acknowledge…
Poverty through the lens of local courts
We are deeply saddened by the poverty we witness in the courts in Devon and Cornwall. It is often the underlying reason for people…
Derrick, winner of the BBC Devon Make it Happen Volunteer Award
Derrick, winner of the BBC Devon Make it Happen Volunteer Award 2025 We’re proud to announce that our volunteer Derrick is the winner of…
Kelly puts the past behind
Kelly has put the past behind. She has joined our team in Plymouth as a volunteer to help others who have been through similar…
Carole celebrates 20 years
Carole celebrates 20 years As part of our 20th anniversary celebrations, we are featuring Carole Edwards, our former CEO. She has been been with…
The story of the birth of our charity
This is the story of the birth of our charity To kick off our 20th anniversary, we are featuring our founder, Mary Anne McFarlane. Mary…
Launching our 20th anniversary campaign
Launching our 20th anniversary campaign We’re launching our 20th anniversary campaign with Tim’s story. Tim, our current Chair of the Board, has been with…
Jackki celebrates 60 years of ASDA this year
This year, Jackki celebrates 60 years of Asda. She is our Asda Champion inside Bodmin Magistrates’ Court. This year, she’s not only celebrating Asda’s…
Fresh start for prison leavers
Five prison leavers will get the chance to make a fresh start, thanks to our collaboration with Improving Lives Plymouth and our Peer Researcher,…
Corinne joins our team
Corinne joins our team to improve the outcomes for people going through family court. We can help people in Devon and Cornwall who do…
Introducing Sue our new Coordinator
Introducing Sue, our new Coordinator. We’re delighted to introduce Sue, our new Coordinator at Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court, Devon. Sue has been working…
Luna volunteers in Truro Magistrates’ Court
Luna volunteers in Truro Magistrates’ Court. After five years at home with her daughter, Luna is volunteering with CASS+. This is the ideal way…
Cat is joining our Bodmin team
We’re so pleased to that Cat is joining our Bodmin team. She will be our new Assistant Coordinator and Family Support Worker on Thursdays…
Support through family courts will continue
CASS+ is pleased to announce that our support for people going through family courts will continue for a further 12 months until 31 March…
Lee needed the support of CASS+ through Family Court
Lee needed our support. Our team has been by his side all the way and now his relationship with his daughter is stronger than…
A day in the life of a social work placement
This week, we’re sharing a day in the life of a social work placement. No two days are ever the same for Rebecca, our…
Meet Rick, social work intern
Meet Rick, our social work intern, working with our team inside Truro Magistrates’ Court. He’s a stage two Social Work undergraduate at the University…
Derrick understands
Derrick understands what it’s like to face court and prison He now lives in Plymouth and helps out and volunteers wherever he possibly can.…
Welcome to our new brand
Welcome to our new brand. We’re really proud to announce our new brand. This is an integral part of our new strategy to get…
Mary dedicates a day a week
Mary dedicates a day each week at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court Mary volunteers each week at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court. She dedicates a day a week…
Peter was at risk of losing everything
Peter was at risk of losing everything Before arriving at our door in Exeter, Peter* was at risk of losing everything Like many, since…
Peter volunteers at Exeter Crown and County Court
Peter volunteers at Exeter Crown and County Court We’re so thankful that volunteer Peter is sticking with us. He used to volunteer with Support…
Volunteering offers new perspectives
We’re pleased to welcome Ruby to our team one day a week at Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court. Ruby believes that volunteering offers new perspectives.…
CASS+ team makes progress in the Family Courts
CASS+ team makes progress in the Family Courts The CASS+ team continues to make progress in the Family Courts in Devon and Cornwall. This…
Introducing our new CEO
Introducing our new CEO We’re excited to introduce our new CEO. Steve Parker joins the CASS+ team as CEO to lead us into our…
How to stay calm in court
How to stay calm in court This month, we sought advice from the experts at local Step by Step Counselling College. Here, they share…
Making a fresh start after prison
We’re part of a team improving lives in Plymouth. Working with Improving Lives Plymouth, we’re helping people make a fresh start after prison. Opportunities…
Codie road tests her chosen career
Codie road tests her chosen career Volunteering is the chance to road test your chosen career. Codie has just graduated from Plymouth Marjon University…
Working with court ushers
CASS+ works with court ushers CASS+ works closely with the court ushers inside the Magistrates’ and Family Courts in Exeter, Newton Abbot, Plymouth, Bodmin…
Evie volunteers after facing the Magistrates
Wake-up call for Evie Evie volunteered with CASS+ after facing the Magistrates at Exeter Crown and County Court. Her visit to court was a…
Family work goes from strength to strength
Our family work is going from strength to strength. We’ve been inside the Magistrates’ Courts in Devon and Cornwall since 2005, but in August…
CASS+ works with defence solicitors
CASS+ works closely with everyone inside the Magistrates’ Courts in Exeter, Newton Abbot, Plymouth, Bodmin and Truro. Local defence solicitors send people our way…
Tribute to Judy Hultgren
Today, we said farewell to Judy, our Chair of the Board of Trustees. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.…
Help from the University of Plymouth
With the help of the University of Plymouth, we are able to plug gaps. We are indebted to our local universities for sending talent…
A degree is not enough to guarantee employment
CASS+ is keen to support volunteers, interns and placements from social work, psychology, counselling, psychotherapy, law and criminology degrees. This is because a degree is…
Internships and placements work
Internships and placements work at CASSPLUS Over the last year, we’ve seen record numbers of interns, volunteers and student placements here. Internships and placements…
Get help at court
Get help at court Read this and you will discover how you can get help at court. This is a story about how our…
New partnership with Advocate
Our team in Exeter is working closely with the volunteer barristers at Advocate. As a result of our new partnership, people going through Exeter…
Volunteering is the chance to turn learning into reality
Madiha has always had a real interest in people and the physical structure of the brain. Now she’s discovered her true passion for psychology…
Visiting the Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice has enabled us to extend our advice and support into family courts in Exeter, Newton Abbot, Plymouth, Bodmin and Truro…
CASS+ and the Devon Family Bench
CASS+ and the Devon Family Bench CASS+ is working with the Devon Family Bench. It was an honour to speak to 60 magistrates and…
ASDA champions community
Asda champions community Asda is making a huge difference across the UK. For the last 10 years, each large Asda store has had its…
Volunteers put their degrees into practice
Volunteers at CASSPLUS put their degrees into practice. Amy-Jane applies her Psychotherapy and Counselling skills Amy-Jane is studying for a BSc in Psychotherapy and…
National Lottery Community Fund transforms lives
The National Lottery Community Fund has supported CASS+ in Newton Abbot Magistrate’s Court. Thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund, our Newton Abbot site…
Elizabeth bounces back
Elizabeth bounces back The CASS+ number was Elizabeth’s lifeline as she left her local police station. When the Police Officer offered to call us,…
CASS+ newbie joins team at Newton Abbot
Meet Shona, the CASS+ newbie at Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court Shona’s extensive experience as an Appropriate Adult is proving invaluable. On top of this,…
Volunteer Zac at the coalface in Truro
Catch up with volunteer Zac in Truro. We caught up with volunteer Zac who is working hard at at the coalface inside Truro Magistrates’…
Changing Futures Plymouth
Changing Futures Plymouth CASS+ is one of eight organisations offering mentoring in a new Executive Mentoring Scheme from Changing Futures Plymouth. As a result,…
Student police officer Luke learns loads
‘CASS+ is a cause that should be implemented nationally.’ Devon and Cornwall Police are now working closely with CASS+ to ensure vital training for…
Extra boost for Family Courts
Families going through courts in Devon and Cornwall are set to get an extra boost. We are one of 59 frontline organisations selected by…
Running is the path to recovery
Running is the path to recovery for John. We caught up with John who came through our door at Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court last…
An interview with Patrick at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court
‘Continuously locking people up without actually supporting them achieves absolutely nothing.’ Our Communications Officer interviewed Peer Researcher, Patrick at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court where he…
How to set up advice & support at court
We have been named as a flagship service in a new guide published by the Centre for Justice Innovation. We’ve been working with the…
From fashion to the force
Former fashion student Emily is all about making a difference Emily Wood, Police Officer in training, has worked alongside our team in Truro for…
Volunteer Rachel gets ready for a life in law
Rachel has a degree in history from Oxford Brookes and an MA in Law from the University of Bristol. With volunteering and charity work…
Volunteering at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court
Kimberley has been volunteering with CASS+ at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court where she supports people going through the criminal justice system. She’s gaining valuable experience…
Going the extra mile for mental health
To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, we’ve decided to highlight why many of the people we see have problems with their mental health. …
No goodbyes for Natalie
Social Work student Natalie has so enjoyed her internship with the Truro team that she plans to volunteer through her summer break. Learning by…
Building a better future for lives affected by crime
According to Home Office research, criminal behaviour costs the UK around £60 billion every year. The economic and social cost of re-offending in England…
Social worker intern gains valuable experience
Sheridan is in her second year of a degree in Social Work at the University of Plymouth. Her 70-day placement with CASS+ started in…
Volunteering fast-tracks graduates
CASS+ has been the perfect stepping stone for criminology graduate Alicia. Alicia heard about CASS+ on Indeed and joined our team as a volunteer…
Ellie celebrates a year of volunteering
Ellie is a second year BSc (Hons) Criminology student at the University of Plymouth. A degree in Criminology can lead to work in the…
Mary turns it around
CASS+ supports many brave people, but Mary* has faced some real challenges. Everything had come to a head by the time she walked through…
New partnership with Devon and Cornwall Police
We were sorry to say goodbye to Police Constable Tom Rutter. We thoroughly enjoyed having him on board in Truro for three days. Tom…
Let’s sit down and talk
Nobody should feel alone at court. It’s terrifying to be faced with the possibility of losing everything. This is why we’re here by your…
The Lord Mayor Returns
Huge thanks to The Lord Mayor of Plymouth for all her support. It was wonderful to give our volunteers the recognition they deserve at…
CASS+ service at Newton Abbot survives & thrives
Thanks to funding from the Social Enterprise Support Fund and the National Lottery Community Fund our team can continue their vital support for anyone going…
Volunteering makes a difference
We’d love to hear from anyone in Devon or Cornwall interested in supporting people in crisis as they go through our legal system in…
Support from Plymouth City Council
Thank you to one of our local Plymouth City Councillors for a contribution to CASSPLUS from their Community Grant. Support of this kind means…
Thank you ASDA Superstore!
During January to March this year CASSPLUS were one of the nominated charities at the Bodmin Asda store. This kind and generous donation was…
CASSPLUS celebrates in Newton Abbot
CASSPLUS Celebrations at Newton Abbot Courts – 1st Year Anniversary!
It’s Official!
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Carole Edwards and Jess (volunteer-Cornwall) receiving the citation in September 2017.
Cass+ present at St Austell Soroptimist Society
Soroptimist Society, St Austell, Cornwall Carole and Debbie were delighted to be asked to present at the Soroptimist Society, finding out more about their…
Cass+ Celebrating Award
Celebrating the citation award with the Cass+ Team! Cass+ team in party mood with the Devon High Sheriff joining in fun and showing off…
Cass+ Attend the investiture of Queens Awards for Voluntary Service
The Cass+ team outside Plymouth Magistrates’ Courts Cass+ attended the investiture of our Queens Awards for Voluntary Service and received the Award itself. Here…
A Perfect Day
The London event at the Palace was a treat for us all. A real ‘pinch me’ experience and quite surreal to think of where…
Fundraising for CASS+
Cass+ Charity walk fundraiser event Cass team consisted of Liz, Debbie and Hannah, all enjoying a volunteer away day event and raising money for…
The Queens Award for Voluntary Service
Royal recognition for Devon’s top volunteer groups Five Devon volunteer groups receive the Royal seal of approval as they are honoured with the Queen’s…