Service Activities

VOLUNTEERING

Volunteers are central to all of SOVA's work. Each project has a team of volunteers who engage with and support the participants. SOVA welcomes volunteers from the local community.

There are a number of stages involved in becoming a SOVA volunteer:

• Application form
• Interview
• Criminal Records Bureau check
• accredited training
• post-course interview

SOVA volunteers receive:

• support and supervision from local staff
• expenses
• additional training

As a SOVA volunteer you might be supporting offenders, vulnerable young people, unemployed, refugees, substance mis-users, the homeless. A volunteer might engage with a participant in the community, in prison, at their place of work or at one of SOVA's centres.

Participants' needs vary considerably but as a volunteer you may be expected to help with:

• filling in forms
• basic skills
• preparing for an interview
• housing
• debt
• life skills

SOVA hopes that volunteers will dedicate four hours a week to its participants for at least six months.

CLICK here to find your nearest SOVA project.

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

Maria and her three children arrived in the UK in 2001 and was given leave to stay. They were offered housing in Sheffield. The Social Services Department referred them to SOVA who matched them up with a volunteer from the same country of origin. The volunteer first made sure Maria and her family were settled in their new home and then introduced them local shops and public transport. Maria was taken to visit local schools and her children and now in full time education and she is receiving training in IT skills.

SUBSTANCE MIS-USE

SOVA's aim of working with substance mis-users is harm minimisation and reduced dependency.

SOVA volunteers work with substance mis-users in a variety of contexts and are able to provide the following types of support:

• advice and guidance
• signposting to specialist agencies
• safe practice
• training
• benefits
• housing
• employment

Ryan aged 29 visited the day-centre when he was a herion addict. He had been using drugs since he was 14 and had already been to prison a number of times because of shop-lifting. As he was living on the streets temporary accommodation was found in a hostel but shortly afterwards he was convicted and given another prison sentence. Whilst in prison he gave up using drugs and on release returned to the day centre where a volunteer has helped him find permanent accommodation and is being trained at the centre. His ultimate goal is to get a job as a drugs counsellor.

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.

Marilyn has been a SOVA volunteer for over a year and has already worked with several clients. She wanted to become a mentor to give herself something worthwhile to do after her children started school. Recently she was matched with Rachel who will be leaving local authority care in six months time and needs preparation for living alone.

JOB-SEEKERS

The aim of providing a SOVA volunteer to support a job-seeker is to improve their employability.

Unemployed people often need help in the following areas:

• c.v.
• training
• confidence
• interview skills
• criminal conviction disclosure
• housing
• debt
• benefits
• budgeting

Steve had been a builder for fifteen years before a serious illness forced him to claim benefits. After a long period of unemployment he was referred to SOVA. He indicated that he would like to become a driving instructor. Steve was matched with a mentor who had run their own transport business and during the following weeks his confidence increased as he learned more about his chosen career.

TRUANTS AND EXCLUSION

SOVA works with young people who are not attending school. Volunteers work with these young people to motivate and support them back into mainstream education.

Volunteers may be asked to provide the following types of support:-

• encourage the pursuit of social and leisure activities
• addressing the barriers to school attendance, including bullying
• build relationship between the young person, school and family
• learning support
• signposting to other services liaison between relevant agencies
• ongoing support prior to and following return to school

John was truanting and while the school tried to work closely with his mother they eventually referred him to a local SOVA service. Darren who has been a SOVA volunteer for seven years took up the case. He quickly identified that John was being bullied because of learning difficulties. To break down his isolation Darren introduced John to a local football team which increased his confidence and self-esteem. He is now attending school regularly and continues to meet with Darren on a regular basis.

YOUNG PEOPLE IN AND 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

Natasha had been in social services care since she was 5 and was due to leave in a year's time but had no contact with her family or any other external support. She was offered the services of a SOVA volunteer and accepted. Elizabeth and Natasha worked with each other for her final year in care and six months later they still meet regularly. Natasha is now living an independent life in her own flat and is studying for a degree and is training to be a peer mentor.

YOUNG PEOPLE

SOVA works with young people facing a wide variety of needs and from a variety of backgrounds including:

• truants and exclusion from school
• in and leaving care
• in and leaving custody
• substance mis-use
• ex-offenders in the community
• community punishment orders
• unaccompanied refugees
• homeless
• job seekers
• training and basic skills

A SOVA volunteer will b e trained to offer general and specialised support according to their own interests and the needs of the individual. For instance:-

• literacy and numeracy support
• befriending
• signposting
• information, advice and guidance

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

YOUNG OFFENDERS IN CUSTODY

SOVA's work with those in custody includes both male and female young offenders. Projects offer guidance and support to improve the long-term prospects of individuals to move towards their goal of employment.

Employment is a key factor in reducing re-offending thereby by addressing training, education and employment needs SOVA aims to increase employability and support individuals into suitable, sustainable employment. This might include:-

• one to one guidance to identify barriers to employment
• accommodation
• drug or alcohol mis-use
• basic skills
• mental health
• referrals to relevant organisations
• accredited training
• jobsearch, cv and interview techniques
• criminal record disclosure
• group sessions for confidence building
• employment preparation
• mentor support
• family support
• appropriate adults

David (19) is serving a 2 year sentence for persistent car theft. He has never had a job and was thrown out from the family home aged fourteen. While in custody David agreed to join SOVA's preparation for work programme and had the support of his volunteer mentor, Derek. He is due for release soon and has been accepted for a modern apprenticeship as a car mechanic.

ADULTS IN CUSTODY

SOVA's work with those in custody includes both male and female adult offenders. Projects offer guidance and support through mentoring and training to improve the long-term prospects of individuals to move towards their goal of employment.

Employment is a key factor in reducing re-offending thereby by addressing training, education and employment needs SOVA aims to increase employability and support individuals into suitable, sustainable employment. This might include:-

• one to one guidance to identify barriers to employment
• accommodation
• drug or alcohol mis-use
• basic skills
• mental health
• referrals to relevant organisations
• accredited training
• jobsearch, cv and interview techniques
• criminal record disclosure
• group sessions for confidence building
• employment preparation
• mentor support
• family support

Chrissie was a prolific shoplifter and dependant on heroin. "My mentor has proved to be a big life-line for me and my baby daughter. Without that support and the help offered me, my daughter would probably be in care and God only knows where I would be. The best thing about my mentor was the fact that she never gave up on me even when I didn't care at the beginning - she stuck with me."

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 when the young person is at their most vulnerable. SOVA's volunteers can provides an extremely valuable lifeline at this time and after.

Once immediate needs are dealt with SOVA projects supported by volunteer mentors, can assist resettlement and reduce the risk of re-offending by addressing other issues and identifying long-term goals, such as:-

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

David (23)
"I have been working with my mentor for about 3 months now, and he is helping me to achieve the skills needed to become a forklift operator. My mentor and I visited the Phoenix Training Centre to discuss my options with careers adviser. I found that having someone there with me as support gave me the confidence to ask questions I would normally shy away from. The biggest advantage of having a mentor is the fact that they are there because they want to be, which makes you trust them a whole lot more than someone who is only there for the money."

ADULT EX-OFFENDERS IN THE COMMUNITY

The support needs of people when they leave custody are varied. Often the most important among these are accommodation and benefits. The weeks immediately following release are when the ex-offender is at their most vulnerable. SOVA's volunteers can provides an extremely valuable lifeline at this time and after.

Once immediate needs are dealt with SOVA projects supported by volunteer mentors, can assist resettlement and reduce the risk of re-offending by addressing other issues and identifying long-term goals, such as:-

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

George (56)
"After fifteen years in prison I had no conception of money and its value and my home town had changed beyond recognition - technology is just so different I couldn't use the washing machine. Alan, my mentor, has been great. He's helped with getting out and I'm looking forward to staying out."

PEOPLE SERVING COMMUNITY ORDERS

Most convicted offenders serve their sentence in the community. The Probation Service and Youth Offending Teams provide these services. SOVA works closely with these agencies to motivate and support the ex-offender. This assists in the completion of the community sentence. Failure to do so may result in a custodial sentence.

SOVA volunteers provide people serving community orders general support and often assist Probation officers with running courses. Support can include:-

• assistance with transport
• attending programmes with the offender
• raising self-confidence
• practical assistance with courses
• addressing barriers to completion of the order

Tony (36)
"I was staggered at the length of my community order and would never have completed the 36 weeks without the support of Janice. She helped me at the beginning when I felt really low and nagged me to keep going."

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.

TRAINING, RESEARCH & CONSULTANCY SERVICES

We've been doing it for 26 years! Working with the community that is, training and deploying volunteers and mentors, encouraging community involvement with and from all sorts of disadvantaged and socially excluded people. Our training, research and consultancy services are designed to let you share in our expertise.

Please click on a link for more information or contact us on Tel: 020 7793 0404 to discuss your needs.

Who Have We Worked With?

- Probation Prisons Youth Offending Teams Police Youth Service
- Schools Education Business Partnerships
- ConneXions Jobcentreplus Private Companies
- National Voluntary Organisations
- Local Voluntary Organisations
- Community Groups
- International Agencies and Organisations

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

Training and Consultancy

Training and Consultancy Services are provided at your need. 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 can focus 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.

Research

 

Research - How is it different?
Often the training and consultancy is accompanied by research into existing practice. SOVA has conducted research info:-
Volunteers within Probation Service
Volunteers within Prison
Mentoring within educational establishments
Mentoring and Youth Justice
SOVA has developed an effective model of Action Peer Research methods and can manage research projects which recruit, train and support 'disadvantaged' people to become peer researches. The benefit of this approach is that information is gained from the 'users@ perspective and peer researchers can 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
For more information about peer Research please refer to the Joseph Rowntree publication of the SOVA Triumph and Success project ' Youth Researching Youth'
Back to SOVA Training Research and Consultancy Services

Helping companies and company support

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.

Annabel is 25. She works for an international bank in central London. Her job requires long hours and intense commitment, but, at her last annual appraisal, Annabel indicated her interest in "giving something back to her local community". As part of her company's commitment to corporate social responsibility, Annabel was encouraged to contact SOVA. She has now been working with Richard, a 32 year old persistent offender with a cocaine addiction, for just over seven months. She sees Richard once a week, when her company gives her half a day to work with him. Richard confirms that, with Annabel's encouragement, he has accessed a drug agency, which is working with him on his addiction, and he is now studying for an NVQ in painting and decorating. He has not re-offended in that time.

If your company wishes to become involved with SOVA's work, please indicate your area of interest below:

…. I would be interested in finding out more about potential employees/ trainees provided by SOVA

…. I would be interested in finding out more about how my organisation and SOVA might work together to increase the skills of my workforce

…. My company would like to make a donation to SOVA's work

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

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

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

'UMBRELLA' 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

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

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

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

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

Michael has been given a custodial sentence. He was the only breadwinner in the family and dealt with all financial matters. Michael's pre-sentence report identified that a custodial sentence would cause problems to his family in terms of finance and benefits. SOVA was asked to assign a volunteer mentor to the family, who supported Michael's partner, Sarah, when she visited the local benefits office, informed the school and opened a bank account. The volunteer was able to support Sarah in the management of pre-existing debts, budgeting and helping the children overcome their anxiety about their father's imprisonment.

HOMELESS PEOPLE

One of the main contributory factors in social exclusion is homelessness. SOVA works to obtain accommodation for homeless people by working with local authorities, housing associations and private landlords. Close liaison is also required with homeless units and benefits agencies, and some schemes provide rent bonds.

Once a homeless person is housed, ongoing support may be required to address the underlying causes of their homelessness and to reduce the potential for losing their accommodation.

SOVA's work with homeless people includes:

• Identifying suitable accommodation
• Support in accessing accommodation
• Support in retaining a tenancy
• Ongoing practical and emotional support

Jane became homeless after separating from her partner and losing her job seven years ago. She turned to sleeping rough, but has no idea where she has been during this time. She turned up one day at a SOVA drop-in. SOVA staff immediately contacted a local housing agency who were able to find a bed in a hostel, and a volunteer mentor accompanied her to the benefits office. The volunteer has continued to support Jane and a housing association has now located more permanent accommodation for her.

UNDER-ACHIEVERS

For a variety of reasons, many people do not fulfil their full potential. Where an individual wants to overcome barriers to progression, SOVA's trained volunteers can provide support and guidance to give individuals the confidence to access relevant services.

SOVA's expertise lies in acknowledging the long-term and underlying support needs of people who feel frustrated by their under-achievement. SOVA volunteers are able to take the time to develop an understanding of the variety of needs of SOVA service users and to work with them on a long-term basis to build confidence, motivation and to work towards achievable goals.

A SOVA volunteer will:

• Identify underlying need
• Motivate and support
• Increase confidence
• Assist in accessing specific services
• Encourage and support the achievement of goals

Sandra stopped going to school at 13, with poor reading and writing skills. While her friends were finding jobs and starting to settle into their adult lives, Sandra became frustrated at her inability to keep up financially with her peers, and she turned to crime. Eventually, she received a custodial sentence for burglary. With her release imminent, a SOVA volunteer identified that the underlying cause of Sandra's offending behaviour was a deep discontent with her life and her failure to achieve. Even before her release, SOVA supported Sandra in the prison-based hairdressing course which led to Sandra achieving her first qualification.