Although
all SOVA Projects in Rotherham work together, they fall roughly into
two categories.
Volunteer and Support projects are focused on improving the
lives and prospects of clients through means other than ETE Advice and
Guidance.
These
projects provide opportunities for offenders or those at risk of
offending to work with a volunteer.
Volunteers are members of the community who are trained,
supported and supervised by project staff.
Volunteers can gain nationally recognised NOCN certificates at
levels 2 or 3.
The support offered to clients by volunteers may be around
employability skills, stabilising lifestyles and exploring
possibilities for future, addressing mental health or substance use
issues.
Some volunteers support groupwork and the drop-in service and
they may train to support clients in developing their literacy and
numeracy.
One
of SOVA�s roles during 2003-4 is to recruit and train people in
their own communities and to set up peer support groups.
The idea � part of Formula for Success (F4S) � is to
provide an innovative way for people to get the experience they need
to get into employment in fields like community and caring work.
SOVA
provides an Appropriate Adult Service for juveniles who are arrested.
Volunteers are trained in the requirements of PACE (Police and
Criminal Evidence Act) and attend the police station if the young
person does not have a parent or other appropriate adult to accompany
them.
Their role is to look after the young person�s welfare and to
make sure that the arrested child understands their rights, the
process and the questions that are asked in the interview.
The
FASE (publicised as 4U4Life) project provides a variety of training
opportunities that are carefully �stepped� to ensure that all
potential clients can find a way into services they need.
For instance, we provide a basic meal between 12 and 1pm
Tuesday to Thursday on a �drop-in� basis.
Many of those who first found their way to SOVA via this
service eventually �sign up� to more structured opportunities and
make progress towards a stable lifestyle.
FASE specifically addresses the needs of people who are using
drugs or alcohol and who cannot, therefore, cope with more demanding
provision.
FASE runs regular group training such as Arts and Crafts,
Guitar lessons and Computers, as well as events such as a Murder
Mystery Day, First Aid training or courses in Food Hygiene.
Adult
clients of all SOVA services in Rotherham are offered help with
Literacy and Numeracy.
A specific opportunity (SYOP) exists for people sentenced to
Commnity Punishment to use 10% of their hours in developing Literacy
or Numeracy.
SOVA
provides training courses for mentors in local voluntary organisations
and businesses.
