strengthening communities
reducing crime

Services SOVA provides a range of innovative services within many communities, with the majority of its work remaining in the Criminal Justice sector. Within the table below, select a Service Group to view a list of SOVA Projects currently delivering a service within that group. To read more about an individual service, select a Service from the right-hand column. Service Group Service 1:1 Support Mentoring and Befriending Independent visitors Families  Basic Skills\ETE\IAG Education, Training and Employment Basic Skills Reparation and Mediation Reparation and Mediation Representation Appropriate Adults Childrens' Rights (Advocacy)  Resettlement Resettlement Transitional Support Young People in or Leaving Care Refugees and Asylum Seekers Volunteer Placement Volunteer Placement Millennium Volunteers Consultancy/Training Training & Consultancy Research Support from the Private sector Management Contract Management back           REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS SOVA supports refugees and asylum seekers to help them integrate into the community. The types of support SOVA volunteers might be asked to provide refugees and asylum seekers are: introduction to the local area housing advice benefits bank accounts medical services education employment translation community support groups   Read Hani's story and Amani's story   back top of page       MENTORING AND BEFRIENDING SOVA is one of the leading mentoring organisations in the UK. Mentors feature in most of SOVA's projects. Following an assessment by a staff member individuals are matched to an appropriate mentor. Each mentoring relationship is unique and lasts for as long as the support is needed. Working within strict rules regarding confidentiality the mentor aims to empower the client enabling them ultimately to make their own choices. Many of the people referred to SOVA's mentoring services are undergoing a difficult change in their lives such as leaving prison or care. At such times people can be very vulnerable and need support if they are to play a positive and active part in society. Young people with a mentor benefit in a number of ways, including:- increased self-esteem motivation improved employability enhanced social and life skills access to additional opportunities a positive role model   Read Jake's story   back top of page     YOUNG PEOPLE IN OR LEAVING CARE Young people about to leave care face a variety of issues. By supporting them through this transitional period SOVA volunteers help them gain life and independent living skills. Some of these young people are encouraged to go on to become mentors themselves. A volunteer would work with the young person before and after leaving care. The types of support provided include:- managing money health and hygiene cooking and cleaning careers advice accessing benefits further education being a role model and friend listening information, advice and guidance securing appropriate accommodation ongoing support   Read Jake's story   back top of page     EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT SOVA's education, training and employment projects aim to identify and remove barriers to work and support individuals to reach their long term goal of employment. Projects offer individuals the opportunity to improve their lives and realise their potential through learning. This can include:- basic skills (literacy and numeracy) one-to-one information, advice and guidance group sessions workshops and drop-in sessions confidence building accredited training support / referrals to address barriers to employment preparation for work (cv, jobserach, interview techniques) understanding value of work employers' expectations mentor support SOVA volunteers will also support people after they have found employment.   Read Marvin's story   back top of page     TRAINING & CONSULTANCY SOVA has been working with the community for over 30 years, training and deploying volunteers and mentors, encouraging community involvement from all sorts of disadvantaged and socially excluded people. Our training, research and consultancy services are designed to let you share in our expertise. Who Have We Worked With? Probation; Prisons; Youth Offending Teams Schools; Education Business Partnerships ConneXions; Jobcentreplus; Private Companies National Voluntary Organisations Local Voluntary Organisations Community Groups International Agencies and Organisations   Training and Consultancy In the past SOVA has delivered contracts which include:- Volunteer and Mentor recruitment and selection Volunteer and Mentor training Volunteer and Mentor Management Equal Opportunities and Diversity issues in mentoring, Peer mentoring, Production of manuals, proformas and good practice guidelines Contracts focussing on:- Employment, training and education of offenders Mentoring in Schools Resettlement of prisoners Management and training of community groups Working in partnership Prostitution and Women Sex Workers Care Leavers Substance Misuse Homelessness New Deal Mentoring SOVA's own Volunteer Mentor Training Courses are Open College Network Accredited at level 2 and 3 (2/3 credits). We can assist agencies in developing their own accredited training course. In consultation with NACRO, SOVA has written a good practice guide on "Volunteers in Community Justice' available at £3.00 plus £1.00 postage and package. If your company wishes to become involved with SOVA's work, please contact Louise Castello on 0207 793 5880 or via email address [email protected].     back top of page           RESEARCH   Training and Consultancy is often accompanied by research into existing practice. SOVA has conducted research into:- Volunteers within Probation Service Volunteers within Prison Mentoring within educational establishments Mentoring and Youth Justice SOVA has developed an effective Peer Research methodology by managing projects to recruit, train and support 'disadvantaged' people. The benefit of this approach is that the Peer Researchers gain skills, experience and qualifications (SOVA's Peer Research Training can be accredited by Open College Network).   In the past SOVA have trained offenders, care leavers, women in the sex industry, unemployed people and young people disaffected by school to become peer researchers. It has organised consultative focus groups all facilitated by trained Peer Researchers.     If your company wishes to become involved with SOVA's work, please contact Louise Castello on 0207 793 5880 or via email address [email protected].     back top of page         SUPPORT FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR As a provider of vocational training and employment support services, SOVA has extensive links with employers across England and Wales. SOVA works with project participants to improve job search and application/interview skills, as well as providing actual job brokerage through liaison with local employers. SOVA provides the organisations with which it works with employees or trainees who have received and, where appropriate, will continue to receive, some or all of the following elements to contribute to their employability: Access to a volunteer mentor who will support them prior to and during the initial stages of their employment/training, including support in addressing personal issues which might otherwise impact on their ability to work; Improved basic skills; Accredited training, including health and safety, first aid, food hygiene and ICT training. SOVA's support increases the motivation and confidence of the client group, whilst providing the employer with certainty that there are mechanisms available to provide additional support where it is required. SOVA can also support local employers by training their employees in mentoring/buddying skills. This has a mutually beneficial effect. SOVA works with the employer to explore ways of freeing up employee time to enable employees to provide support to members of SOVA's client group and the employer has employees who have additional skills and abilities which will be of service in the workplace. If your company wishes to become involved with SOVA's work, please contact Louise Castello on 0207 793 5880 or via email address [email protected].   back top of page         APPROPRIATE ADULTS The law requires that all young people who the police wish to interview are entitled to have an adult present. Where a parent or guardian is not available the police may call upon an appropriate adult to be present. SOVA provides Appropriate Adults services. These are adults who are trained to look after the best interests of the young person but who are independent of the legal process. The service is available at all times. The Appropriate Adult will ensure that: the young person is treated fairly their rights are respected they understand what is happening there is someone to care for them after the interview   Read Ed's story   back top of page     BASIC SKILLS Many people need help with basic skills such as reading and writing. SOVA supplies trained volunteers who work alongside basic skills training providers. It is widely acknowledged that one of the main contributors to disadvantage is a lack of basic skills. This disadvantage is often compounded by a lack of willingness to admit to a basic skills need. The involvement of a volunteer enables a one-to-one relationship to develop with an individual who has been identified as having basic skills needs. The volunteer will provide, practical, emotional and educational support to the person. A SOVA volunteer will: provide encouragement build and maintain the person's motivation build confidence work at a pace to suit the individual have the time to get to know the person   Read Dominic's story   back top of page     CHILDRENS' RIGHTS (ADVOCACY) An advocate is someone who a young person can confide in about their care. Volunteers are trained to visit young people regularly to discuss any issues they may have. The advocate can act on behalf of the young person and represent their concerns to the appropriate agencies and ensure that their rights are voiced and respected. The volunteer is a role model and someone who builds the confidence to enable the young person to talk freely. The SOVA volunteer will:- act independently of statutory agencies develop a rapport with the young person be good communicator know childrens' rights have the skills to bring issues to the appropriate authorities   back top of page     CONTRACT MANAGEMENT SOVA is able to provide a managerial and co-ordination service for large multi-agency partnerships. Where a service is being provided by a large number of organisations it is vital that contract management is well-co-ordinated and of a high standard. SOVA has considerable experience of managing complex national and regional partnerships involving statutory and voluntary agencies. SOVA contract management includes human resources, finance and quality assurance. SOVA ensures:- contract and sub-contract compliance a straightforward and well co-ordinated service for participants good communication between partnership agencies complex partnerships are well-promoted as a seamless service   back top of page     REPARATION AND MEDIATION As part of restorative justice SOVA provides reparation and mediation services for offenders and the victims of crime. The views of the victims of crime are central to these services. A SOVA reparation and mediation service will work separately with the offender and the victim to develop a course action that encourages the offender to appreciate the effects of their actions on the victim and the community. The victim has the opportunity to explain the impact of the crime on his/her life and how they feel the offender could make reparation. A SOVA reparation and mediation service will:- work the victim work with the offender agree and oversee a reparation package help the offender appreciate the effects of their actions provide direct reparation to the victim as agreed with the victim contribute to crime reduction   Read Jez's story   back top of page     RESETTLEMENT SOVA works with offenders preparing to return from custody to their community. Support continues after their release to ensure a smooth return to society help reduce re-offending. Trained volunteer mentors regularly meet offenders and ex-offenders to help address resettlement needs such as housing, basic skills, training, employment, budgeting, benefits, health, family and any other issues likely to impact on successful resettlement. SOVA volunteers will: meet the participant in prison and in the community meet the participant at the gate ensure they keep appointments assess their needs and support them in their resolution support positive leisure activities identify and support appropriate training and employment   back top of page         MILLENNIUM VOLUNTEERS SOVA acts as a focus to promote volunteering and good citizenship through its Millennium Volunteers scheme. It encourages people to volunteer to support their community. From its knowledge of voluntary bodies in the region it directs people to the right volunteering opportunities according to their skills, knowledge and interests. Millennium Volunteers will: Encourage more volunteering Give people new skills benefit communities Enhance the capacity of voluntary organisations Increase community involvement     back top of page         Volunteer Placement Promotion of volunteering and good citizenship through volunteer placement schemes is another SOVA service. We encourage people to volunteer to support their community. With knowledge of voluntary bodies we network our volunteers with other relevant volunteering opportunities and organizations according to their skills, knowledge and interests.     back top of page           FAMILIES SOVA will work with families where a family member or the whole family is in need of the support. This may be in cases where the actions of an individual family member is having an impact on the whole family or the effects of a family on the community. SOVA staff and volunteers can provide tailor-made support to address the needs of families who are effected by such things as crime, barriers to integration, poverty. SOVA will: support families in difficulty give guidance on parenting skills mediate between family members and communities raise awareness about their community increase understanding of rights and responsibilities   back top of page

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