We’ve all said stuff like this about teams or individuals who appear to have the odds stacked against them. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be like that. 

At SOVA we believe in creating level playing fields. 

Our Buddy project

Our Buddy project provides mentoring services to young offenders through the recruitment, training and support of community volunteers who are matched to young people and then work with them for an average of 10 sessions/25 hours across a period of 3-6 months. 

Our Buddy mentors act as positive role models, offering support and guidance on a one-to-one basis and encouraging young people into positive activities. Mentoring offers young people the chance to examine alternatives to crime - having an adult who will spend time, talk and provide encouragement and friendship, can mean the difference between the young person engaging in, or drifting into crime and developing the strength and confidence to resist adverse pressures. In other words, mentors provide that extra support and a positive long-term adult relationship that many younger people need to make it through a difficult period of their lives. Providing a supportive and positive role model to young people can help them to identify their goals and aspirations and help them to achieve them. 

This can be done in any number of ways - from helping them to access services (sports, health, Information Advice & Guidance, counseling, libraries) to actively supporting them into education or training. For many young people identified as ‘at risk’, support in areas such as managing their finances, or enabling them to live independently can make a huge difference to their ability to be both safe and healthy as well as desist from offending behavior. Introducing young people to walking, or healthy eating or volunteering can all contribute to these young people achieving one or all 5 Every Child Matters outcomes.

In our experience, we have found that with mentoring services for YP it is really important that all parties understand that it is a time-limited relationship (to avoid an unhealthy reliance being established), based on focused activities. This is why we feel it is important to have an Individual Action Plan, developed in conjunction with SOVA staff, the mentee and Mentor which clearly set out specific objectives for the relationship.

Our objectives are to engage Young People in positive and constructive activities, as follows

1. Young People will have increased confidence/skills to interact successfully with others

2. Young people have the ability to plan for the future, make informed choices and develop life goals

3. Young people develop key skills and abilities to live a safe/secure independent life.

Regular constructive activities or general weekly meetings with their mentors have resulted in an improvement in the lifestyle of many of the young people we deal with, giving them something to focus their time and energy on.

Various mentoring relationships have seen an improvement in life-skills such as time-keeping and organisation. In some instances, mentor support has seen improvements in the physical appearance of the young people as well as their confidence and general happiness. One-to-one support from an adult has also seen the young people become better at interacting with adults, sharing respect with their mentor.

SOVA mentors have assisted some young people in accessing information regarding their future. This has included completing college and university applications, attending Open Days and helping them identify their career options. Cases have seen mentors contacting educational institutions on their behalf and also accompanying the young people to the institutions to enquire at open days.

As the leading national volunteering organisation, we are fanatical about supporting and guiding those who need help finding their way back into society. But we need help too. The success of our programmes depends on people like you giving a little of their time to help our clients regain self-esteem, build confidence and develop the skills to give them new opportunities.

In return, you will gain valuable experience, skills and a real sense of achievement.

No experience is necessary. If you are committed, enjoy working with people and communicate well, we will give you all the training and support you need.

So what are you waiting for?