strengthening communities
reducing crime

Clients SOVA projects provide support to people of all ages both within the community and in custody. In the spirit of social inclusion, any disadvantaged or excluded person is potentially a SOVA client. SOVA Services are delivered to four Client Groups. Within the table below, select a Client Group to view a list of SOVA Projects currently delivering services to that group. To read more about an individual client category, select the Client from the right-hand column. Also visit our Client stories page to read individual case studies. Client Group Client Young People in the Community Truants and exclusion Young ex-offenders in the community Under-achievers Young people in or leaving care Substance mis-use Homeless people Job seekers Young People in Custody Young offenders in custody Adults in the Community Adult ex-offenders in the community Homeless people People serving community orders Substance mis-use Refugees and Asylum Seekers Job seekers Adults in Custody Adults in custody 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         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   Read Jez's story   back top of page         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   Read Marvin's story   back top of page         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     back top of page     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   Read Jake's story   back top of page     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   Read Jay's story   back top of page     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   Read Marvin's story   back top of page     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       back top of page     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   Read Dominic's story   back top of page     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     Read Jez's story   back top of page     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         back top of page     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

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