Clinks Light Lunch | 471 | 3rd February 2017

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In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: share your experiences of Transforming Rehabilitation

Clinks, in partnership with NCVO and Third Sector Research Centre, have launched a new survey to track the voluntary sector's role in Transforming Rehabilitation. We last surveyed the sector in late 2015 and we know a lot has changed since. In May 2016 we published a report with six key findings and made seven recommendations. Since then we have worked with government, Community Rehabilitation Companies and the National Probation Service to advocate for change. We also used the information to advise members of parliament, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation, and the National Audit office. In order to keep on advocating for voluntary organisations we rely on what you tell us. Click here to take the survey

CLINKS BLOG: researching desistance

In this blog, Matt Wall, National Secretary of the Community Chaplaincy Association, and Jane Dominey, a Research Associate at the Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge, discuss how community chaplaincy can support people on their desistance journey. Cambridge University was commissioned to undertake a piece of research for the Chaplaincy aiming to increase the evidence base for the importance of holistic, person-centred support. Matt says "At Community Chaplaincy we’ve always known instinctively that building trust, believing in people and carrying a sense of hope for the future are all core to enabling change". Read the blog here

CLINKS BLOG: challenges for families of prisoners

In this guest blog, former Clinks Development Officer Patrice Lawrence looks at five enduring challenges for the families of prisoners. With major changes in government, reports of understaffing and the rise of new psychoactive substances, this is a time of major change for the sector. This blog discusses how these changes impact on families of prisoners. It looks at the booking system, family friendly visits and new psychoactive substances. Read the blog here

CLINKS EVENT: improving outcomes for Muslim prisoners

The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) is running an engagement event [15th February, London, free] targeted at voluntary organisations that support Muslim prisoners. Clinks is supporting this event to maximise interest from voluntary organisations that support Muslims in our prison system. NOMS will shortly be advertising a grant opportunity for organisations to develop models and/or interventions that maximise positive engagement with Muslim prisoners to improve their outcomes. Muslim prisoners, especially younger prisoners, are a growing group within the overall prison population. The grant activity will be delivered between April 2017 and March 2018 and the total grant pot equals £85,000. Find out more and book here

CLINKS EVENT: informing prison design

As part of the Government’s strategy on prison safety and reform, the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) is undertaking a major investment of £1.3bn to modernise the prison estate. Clinks in partnership with NOMS have organised a series of three consultation events [22nd February, 1st March, 3rd March | London | free] to gain research, evidence and feedback from voluntary organisations to develop a set of design principles based on lessons learned from the current estate. NOMS' vision is for an estate that is less crowded, better organised and increasingly made up of modern, fit for purpose accommodation. The events are for organisations delivering services in the prison building, through the gate resettlement services and family services. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: people leaving prison

The Prison Radio Association (PRA) has set up an online resource for people leaving prison. The website is called Straightline and features video and audio stories of people's experiences, alongside the option to share your own. The site aims to provide support and guidance during the transition to life outside. Straightline is aiming to build a supportive community to inspire those who have recently left prison. Read more about Straightline here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: women facing multiple disadvantage

Do you work with women experiencing multiple disadvantage? Can you help Agenda to build a map of services across the country? As part of the Mapping the Maze project, Agenda and AVA have been funded to map women’s services across England and Wales. It will help provide practitioners with a facility to search for services, as well as build a picture of service provision which will help policy-makers, funders and campaigners. If you deliver services for women specifically affected by substance misuse, mental ill-health, homelessness or offending they would like to include your information on the map. You can submit information by responding to a survey by 21st February. Take the survey here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: online support for homeless people

Homeless Link has launched their new website, Housing First England. Designed to support people who are homeless and may have multiple needs, housing first aims to provide housing as the starting point for other services. The website contains a map of Housing First services, useful resources and information and an opportunity to read several stories about the impact of Housing First. There is also a short film of Housing First residents, and their workers, talking about how the service has positively impacted on their lives. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: young Londoners in the justice system

Peer Power has launched its report ‘Just Health- An Enquiry into the Emotional Health and Wellbeing of Young People in the Youth Justice System’. The charity was commissioned by NHS England (London) to facilitate consultation and engagement with children and young people to see how London’s NHS could improve their work with young people in the youth justice system system. The report's recommendations aim to improve the emotional support and wellbeing that young people receive.  Lord McNally, Chairman of the Youth Justice Board, said: "We already know that access to mental healthcare and emotional wellbeing services is poor for children in the youth justice system, and the findings of this report go some way to illustrating how this could be improved. Read the report here

FUNDING: long-term problem prevention

Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has launched a new programme to help smaller charities strengthen their long-term organisational health, so they can continue delivering vital services for their communities. Ten charitable organisations whose work has a strong focus on ‘problem prevention’ will receive financial and professional support for two years. Together with grant funding of up to £50,000 per year to use appropriately, each selected organisation will receive bespoke expert advice and training. This programme is intended to enhance charity resilience and encourage further individual giving to support this goal. The deadline for applications is 10th February. Read more here

FUNDING: supporting isolated young people

The Co-operative Foundation is looking for organisations to join their network which tackles youth loneliness. They plan to recruit up to five new partners who work with young people (16-25) in England, who have experience of being in the criminal justice system, homelessness, disability, being a refugee, being in care or of being a young carer. Organisations selected will have the opportunity to share a £100,000 fund as part of the next phase of their work on youth loneliness. The deadline for applications is the 20th February. Read more and apply here

FUNDING: impact loans

Big Issue Invest has launched Impact Loans England. Registered charities and social enterprises are invited to apply for loans of between £20,000 and £150,000 as part of the £5 million scheme. The loans are available to help organisations grow and continue to do more of the good work which they already do. The funding can be used to buy new equipment, hire new talent and progress with business development plans. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: plays by ex-prisoners

Synergy is running a festival of new plays by ex-prisoners [21st February to 18th March, London, £15-20]. ‘Homecomings’ features premières of two new plays about addicts getting out of prison and heading home to the people, places and things that landed them in trouble. Sonya Hale’s tense domestic thriller, Glory Whispers, and John Stanley’s dark comedy of dishonourable thieves, The Monkey, headline a month of plays, talks and readings. For more information call the Box Office on 020 7978 7040.

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: shared reading

The Reader is looking for people interested in becoming qualified Reader Leaders to bring Shared Reading into your workplace or community, including prisons. They are running training courses to become a Reader Leader over the next few months [7th-9th March, London | 28th-30th March, Bristol | 23rd-25th May, London, contact for costs]. Reader Leaders help tackle illiteracy and promote self-confidence through reading. In HMP Frankland 48% of group members had shown improvement in Openness to future non-offending and aspiration since joining the Shared Reading group. A Prisoner & Shared Reading Group Member at Hydebank said "I take the poems away with me and read them out to the other women on the landings". Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: best practice in restorative justice

The Restorative Justice Council (RJC) is hosting a conference on shared learning in restorative justice [Friday 3rd March, London, £0-100] led by Charlotte Calkin. Restorative practitioners from every sector are invited to join together and share learning and best practice through open space conferencing. Unlike more traditional training events, this offers participants the unique opportunity to set their own discussion agendas on the day. Attendees will work in a series of facilitated break-out groups, enabling them to shape their own learning through asking questions and answering these collectively. Find out more and book your place here

NON MEMBER'S EVENTS AND TRAINING

Health and social care in the voluntary sector | 7th and 16th February, Bristol, free | Details

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: An Employment Adviser/Caseworker and an Employer Engagement Worker with Plias Resettlement [London], a Project Development Manager with Centre For Justice Innovation [London], an Office Administrator with Safer London [London], a Volunteer Co-ordinator with The Reasons Why Foundation [London], a Senior Case Manager with Catch22 [HMP Exeter], a Young Persons Therapist with Brighton Oasis Project [Brighton], a Sessional Facilitator with The Lucy Faithfull Foundation, a Befriending Administrator (Maternity Cover) with New Bridge Foundation [London], an Administration Officer with RAPt [HMP Highdown], an Evaluation, Learning & Research Manager with Changing Lives [Gateshead], a Volunteer Marketing Assistant with Vison Housing [Croydon], and a Senior Practitioner - Women's Service with Lincolnshire Action Trust [Lincolnshire]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Save £60 on large photo print canvases. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Get 20% off Family and Friends Railcard. Details
  • Tip of the Week III: 12 Fairtrade roses are £22 including courier from M&S. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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Rhiannedd Mclean

Clinks