Sova Step Forward

We provide volunteer mentors to support male offenders aged 25+ and older men, some of whom may be suffering from chronic illnesses, helping them move towards a life free of crime.

Working across the ten London resettlement prisons, Sova Step Forward (SSF) will provide dedicated one-to-one support to help offenders as they make the often difficult transition from prison into the community. We do this by recruiting, training and supervising local volunteer mentors who will help the service user to make positive changes to their life, make better decisions and steer clear of crime in the future.

Volunteers will be matched to a service user when they are in the final weeks of their prison sentence with the first meeting ideally taking place in prison.  Then the volunteer will commit to meeting the client for between one and five hours a week for up to four months in the community post release.

Through the practical and emotional support offered by our volunteer mentors we aim to overcome the many barriers faced by offenders as they transition back into the community, working towards the overall goal of reduced re-offending.
 
Sova offers all volunteers enjoyable and interactive training (which can be accredited through Certa), ongoing support, training and supervision.

If you are interested in supporting someone being released from prison at this critical time in their lives please use one of the ‘become a Sova volunteer’ links at the bottom of this page.

Sova Step Forward is being delivered as part of the ‘Through the gate’ services in conjunction with the London Community Rehabilitation Company managed by MTC Novo.

 “If my volunteering helps just one person get their life back on track then it’s well worth it.” Sova Volunteer

To find out more information about volunteering at Sova Step Foward, contact [email protected]