A Sunday evening trip to the pub should be one of life's little pleasures. But for Nadia Mitchell, one such visit was to change her life forever. Three years ago her boyfriend was stabbed to death as they left the local pub together. Mark, her partner of three years, tried to protect another woman from being attacked in the car park. But in the struggle Mark was fatally wounded. Nadia remembers the moment all too well: "I looked into his eyes, but it was like he wasn't there any more."

Nadia went through months of turmoil, which included having to cope with the trial of Mark's attacker, during which she was supported by the Witness Service: "I found it difficult to be left alone, had panic attacks, and had periods of complete denial that Mark had gone."

Thankfully family were on hand to help her; but so was Victim Support. "For two years I couldn't face the world. But now, with the help of Victim Support I'm looking forward again and ready to live life to the full." Like many other victims of serious crime, part of Nadia's new approach to life has involved volunteering for Victim Support: "It's a chance to give something back and help others cope with the kind of experience I've been through."