Client: Young ex offenders in the community

The support needs of young people when they leave custody are varied. Often the most important among these are accommodation and benefits. The weeks immediately following release are whenthe young person is at their most vulnerable. SOVA's volunteerscan provides an extremely valuable lifeline at this time andafter.

Once immediate needs are dealt with SOVA projects supportedby volunteer mentors, can assist resettlement and reduce therisk of re-offending by addressing other issues and identifyinglong-term goals, such as:-

• training and education
• re-establishing family links
• confidence
• personal issues
• employment
• life skills
• purposeful activities