Sova Support Link

At Sova Support Link we support a range of adults with complex needs and a history of offending behaviour in London, Leeds and Sheffield.

At Sova Support Link (SSL) we hope to improve people’s quality of life and enable them to live successfully as part of their local community.  We do this by promoting desistance and social inclusion through recruiting, training and supervising local volunteer mentors, who work together in groups (known as ‘hubs’), to support a client, both practically and emotionally.  By helping clients to steer clear of crime, our volunteers not only support an individual to change their own life for the better, but also help to build safer, stronger communities for everyone.
 
Each volunteer is asked to commit to meeting the client they’re matched with for no more than 5 hours per week for at least 12 months.  Sova offer all our volunteers enjoyable and interactive training (which can be accredited through the Open College Network), ongoing support, training and supervision.  One of our volunteers said “The most valuable aspect of my volunteer work has been the training”.  As well as working with a team of fellow mentors, volunteers also work closely with other professionals involved in the client’s life.

 

Sova Support Link covers the whole of London, Leeds and Sheffield.  We are gratefully funded by Oxleas NHS, Lloyds TSB Foundation Trust, NOMS and London Probation.  One of our probation partners recently said “Sova are an inspiration as are those of you who work for them!”

This project holds Mentoring and Befriending Foundation Approved Provider Status.

 

Across London we support a range of socially excluded people, as shown below.

 

People with lifelong psychological needs and a history of offending behaviour, working closely with NHS trusts for psychological input and probation.  In 2013, we were highly commended in the Criminal Justice and Mental Health sector at the Positive Practice Awards.

“For people who have not enjoyed the benefits of family relationships, these are people he can turn to”.
 

If you’re interested in supporting people who have  lifelong psychological needs or want to find out more about this project please contact us: [email protected] or use one of the 'Become a Sova volunteer' links at the bottom of this page.
 

Adults with a history of sexual offending who are moving from Approved Premises into independent accommodation. Making the transition into unsupported accommodation is sometimes described as ‘the first real test’ when adjusting to life back in the community.  Based on an initial successful pilot, our mentors are continuing to ensure that ex-offenders have someone on their side to support them through this challenging time and are able to successfully rejoin their local communities.

 

If you’re interested in supporting people who have a sexual offence and require support to move into independent accommodation or want to find out more about this project please contact us on:  [email protected] or use one of the 'Become a Sova volunteer' links at the bottom of this page.

 

Adults with high-functioning autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and a history of offending behaviour, working closely with probation and NHS trusts for psychological and risk input.  There are currently limited services for people who have offended and have ASD, be a part of a ground breaking and innovative project looking to include those who often get overlooked.

If you’re interested in supporting people with Autism or Aspergers or want to find out more about this project please contact us on: [email protected]

Someone Sova supported said: “I enjoyed getting out and meeting my volunteers, it helped me to gain the confidence to get a voluntary job”

 

One of our volunteers said “Before I was introduced to Paul* I questioned, what would I see? But when I met this person they were just another human being, and quickly my anxieties went, and I was able to challenge those prejudices”. 
*name changed

 

For more information about what it takes to be one of our volunteers please contact us at [email protected] or use one of the 'Become a Sova volunteer' links at the bottom of this page.