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SOVA seeks volunteer mentors for new contract with HPT |
Mentoring charity SOVA is on the look out for volunteers to work with offenders following its successful bid for a new three-year contract from Hertfordshire Probation Trust.
The Hertfordshire arm of the charity, whose contract with Hertfordshire Probation Trust was renewed after competitive tendering, wants to hear from anyone interested in working with people sentenced to punishment in the community or released from jail on a licence.
Volunteers from all sorts of backgrounds are welcome to apply, and, if accepted will receive training in how to befriend and motivate offenders to compy with the terms of their sentence or prison licence.
The work includes supporting offenders in confronting their offending behaviour, improving employability by helping them with searching for jobs and supporting young offenders and prolific offenders released from prison.
It provides volunteers thinking of a career in probation with valuable experience of the rehabilitative work carried out with offenders.
SOVA and Hertfordshire Probation are particularly interested in hearing from ex-offenders, victims and people who have experienced problems with drugs and alcohol. They believe such people bring an extra dimension to mentoring as they can show that change is possible.
Hertfordshire Probation's Commissioning Manager, Doug Hook, who oversaw the renewal of the contract, said: "I would urge anyone who feels any interest in this work to give SOVA a ring. Volunteers are often the unsung heroes, working in a committed and selfless way to reduce crime and criminal behaviour, but for some of them it can be a route to a job. A number of Hertfordshire Probation began as volunteers."
Doug added: "SOVA were up against stiff competition in the tendering process and we're delighted to be working with them again. They have proved excellent partners in the past and we are confident they will continue to provide a very good service and equally good value for tax-payer's money."
Sharon Ahmad, Project Manager for SOVA in Hertfordshire, said: "SOVA has been working to reduce crime for over 30 years through its community mentoring programmes and is delighted to develop its work further in the coming years in partnership with the Hertfordshire Probation Trust.
"What may seem like a small amount of support to an individual offender can actually be positively life-changing, improving their lives, the lives of those who care for them and helping reduce their chances of re-offending.
"We have volunteers of all ages and backgrounds and welcome interested members of the local community who would like to join us in supporting this rehabilitation."
To find out more about volunteering opportunties with SOVA, visit www.sova.org.uk
To find out more about Hertfordshire Probation Trust visit www.hertfordshireprobation.gov.uk
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Last Updated on Thursday, 25 November 2010 15:30 |
