Alan Duncan joins Anne Main at local charity
14th April 2010
Shadow Prisons Minister Alan Duncan joined Anne Main, Conservative Candidate for St Albans, on a visit to the headquarters of SOVA (Supporting Others through Volunteer Action), in Alma Road, St Albans, today, to find our about the excellent work the charity is doing leading national volunteer mentoring programmes with the socially and economically disadvantaged.
Alan said:
"Reducing re-offending is an important part of our policy. SOVA's budget is only £160,000, and that is fantastic value for money.
"The savings to society in terms of reducing crime, police costs, social care costs and prison costs must be many times that.
"SOVA's support is all provided by volunteers, who are much more likely to be trusted by ex-offenders. If I ever become a minister this is the type of project I would very much want to support."
Anne said:
"SOVA is a hidden gem, working on programmes to rehabilitate and resettle offenders and ex-offenders and strengthening communities by involving local volunteers. As support is provided entirely by volunteers as the organisation believes they are more likely to be trusted by ex-offenders.
It is a great example of what David Cameron was talking about yesterday - volunteers doing great work in the community, and helping to promote social inclusion and reduce crime. These organisations need to be supported."