The Bridge

Sova’s role at The Bridge is to find, train and support volunteers to help offenders who have been given The Bridge, an intensive community sentence designed for use as a direct alternative to a short custodial sentence, to steer clear of crime. Our volunteer mentors motivate, inspire and challenge the offenders they support to change their lives for the better and steer clear of crime.  Many of the offenders we work with are often required to come to the The Bridge rather than serve a short prison sentence or as a last chance to comply with a prison license.  

Our mentors provide practical support in the community, as well as providing support in the activity sessions. This consistent support of a friendly mentor as they complete The Bridge makes a real difference. Our mentors offer support in all aspects of everyday life; with finding jobs or a place to live, with reading and writing skills, with managing money or tackling addictions or simply by offering a listening ear and being around to talk to.

With the help of our team of local volunteers we are able to give each offender someone who is on their side; a trained mentor ready to offer the practical advice and emotional support needed to deal with everyday life in the community. They make sure offenders get any specialist support they need to tackle addictions and to re-build difficult relationships with family and friends. Low self-esteem and a lack of confidence can also be a problem, so mentors also motivate and encourage offenders to make good choices and change the behavior that has got them into trouble in the past.

All of our volunteers receive accredited training.

The Bridge Essex is funded by Essex Probation Trust.

For more information about becoming one of our volunteer mentors please contact Simon Richards at [email protected]