Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 349 | 27th June 2014

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In this week's edition....

CLINKS CASE STUDY: supporting women offenders through the gate

Clinks member Open Gate is a small charity that works out of HMP Low Newton in County Durham providing support to women leaving prison and resettling into the local authority areas of the North East. We've produced a case study which demonstrates the impact they have on vulnerable women’s lives, helping them re-enter society and get their lives back on track. Download the case study here

CLINKS CASE STUDY: reducing reoffending in clients affected by HIV

Sahir House is a HIV charity based in Liverpool operating across Merseyside and North Cheshire. They provide support, information and training for people and families living with or affected by HIV. As part of our role in the Health and Care Strategic Partner Programme, we produced this case study which highlights how successful partnerships with the health and care sector have enabled Sahir House to achieve positive outcomes for their clients. Download the case study here

ARTS ALLIANCE OPPORTUNITY: developing arts and criminal justice skills

The Arts Alliance has recently completed a pilot mentoring scheme which had the aim of expanding opportunities for members to develop their professional skills and knowledge in the field of arts and criminal justice through a one-to-one mentoring relationship. On the back of its success – and a pot of funding from Arts Council England – the Arts Alliance are now accepting applications for new potential mentees. The scheme is for those interested in receiving professional mentoring from an expert Arts Alliance member. Mentoring relationships are based on a first come, first served basis and the deadline for applications from potential mentees is Friday 15th August. Click here for more information

CLINKS MEMBERS' NEWS: members win NOMS funding

NOMS have announced the successful recipients of their Grants Programme for 2014/15. Congratulations to Clinks members Safe Ground, Elmore Community Services, Sova, St Giles Trust, Belong London and Spark Inside who were all successful. The grants programme funds voluntary sector organisations to develop capability, knowledge and good practice and to deliver activity in areas which reflect NOMS' priorities.

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: horticulture and rehabilitation

Bounce Back’s ‘Untying the Knot’ Garden at the 2014 RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show [16th July, London] is a reflection on the challenges faced by people leaving prison. Bounce Back hope that the garden will help visitors understand how important support, training and above all, employment, are in helping people unravel the difficulties they’ve had and getting their lives back on track. Participants on the Bounce Back programmes will be available during the show to tell people more about their achievements. Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: rolling out Neighbourhood Justice Panels

The Ministry of Justice is hosting a series of Neighbourhood Justice Panel (NJP) practitioner workshops [17th July, Stafford | 22nd July, Manchester | 29th July, Dewsbury | 1st August, London] aimed at local practitioners from Police, Local Authorities, Social Housing, Fire and Rescue or voluntary groups. MoJ has been working with 15 areas to test Neighbourhood Justice Panels over the last two years. NJP meetings bring local victims and offenders together before a panel meeting facilitated by local volunteers to deal with incidents of low level crime and antisocial behaviour.  The NJP process has also been used to deal with non-criminal behaviours which impact on the local community, such as Neighbourhood Disputes, Noise Nuisance, and Littering etc. To book, click on the location: Stafford, Manchester, Dewsbury, London

COMMISSIONING: providers required for youth justice

The Youth Justice Board and Ministry of Justice are re-commissioning three Secure Training Centres (STCs) - Hassockfield in County Durham, Rainsbrook in Rugby and Medway in Rochester. Inspiring Futures, on behalf of G4S Children’s Services, are bidding for all three, and are now seeking expressions of interest from providers of Employment and Skills; Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) providers; and specialist agencies (such as housing, restorative justice, mentoring etc.) to deliver services in the STCs as well as those interested in supporting a national Resettlement Network for young people. Through additional innovative, flexible and effective partnerships with national and local providers, including the voluntary sector, Inspiring Futures are committed to ensuring that care and custody contributes to improved education and employment outcomes and lower reoffending rates. For further information and to express an interest, please click here

COMMISSIONING: to run self-inflicted deaths in custody consultation events

The Ministry of Justice are tendering for the provision of an 'Organisation and facilitation service of one or two Family Listening Events to the Harris Review', an Independent Review into Self-Inflicted Deaths in Custody of 18 - 24 Year Olds. The £10,000 - £20,000 contract has a deadline of 4th July. For full details click here

FUNDING: reducing crime in Humberside

The Humberside police and crime commissioner's Crime Reduction Fund is open to voluntary and community groups and organisations operating in the East Riding of Yorkshire, Hull, North East Lincolnshire, and Northern Lincolnshire. Approximately £235,000 will be available each year for the next four years for small scale projects that will provide sustainable answers to local problems that help to reduce crime. The grant funding can be used for capital and revenue projects and can cover a range of activities, such as specific targeted crime reduction and community safety initiatives, capacity building, raising awareness, training and research, and the purchase of equipment and materials. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: supporting women offenders in the North West

Grants from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner are available to voluntary sector organisations that deliver community-based services to women offenders in Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside and Wigan. Applications are invited  from organisations that support women to successfully complete orders or licences; improve women’s access to appropriate services; and contribute to the reduction of offending. Find out more and apply here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: combatting homelessness

'#RoughJusticeCH' is a free Commonweal Housing event [9th July, 3pm-5pm, London] that will include the launch of their new report 'Rough Justice: uncovering social policies that create homelessness', which highlights how current government policies such as criminal justice, welfare and immigration policy are making the task of combatting homelessness more difficult. The report brings together contributions from Commonweal Housing, partner charities and experts working to end homelessness. To find out more and book your place, click here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: offenders and welfare reform

'Offenders and Welfare Reform' is an Academy for Justice Commissioning evening seminar [21st July, Manchester] that will focus on why the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are reforming welfare and the case for Social Justice. Tim Conway, from DWP, will discuss the changes being made and how they relate to the offending population (Work Programme, Transforming Rehabilitation, and Universal Credit). He will also highlight where offenders fit into the story and stimulate discussion regarding the direction DWP need to take in terms of employment support. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: helping the marginalised realise their potential

'Where Does Talent Come From?' is a Rideout conference [23rd July, Birmingham, £160] that will explore: new thinking to help those at the margins of society realise their abilities; how educational practice informs or hinders the potential of young people; and the issue of balancing social justice with reward for talent. The event will bring together some of the best minds on the subject - from the arts, economics, psychology and education. Confirmed speakers include Germaine Greer, Tim Harford and Laura Caulfield. They'll be giving presentations but also taking challenges and questions from delegates. Light Lunch readers get a £30 discount using the code 'CLINKST4'. For more information and bookings, click here

AWARDS: prestigious awards for small charities

The annual Guardian Charity Awards seek to recognise and encourage small and medium-sized charities that are improving social wellbeing in its broadest sense by delivering clear benefit to people who are disadvantaged by poverty or disability or are marginalised in some other way. Eligible charities must have been registered in the United Kingdom for more than two years and have an annual income of between £5,000 and £1.5 million. Five winners will each receive a £5,000 prize fund, an iPad mini, one year's free NCVO membership and a tailored package of support from the FSI and Media Trust. The deadline for applications is 25th July. Find out more and apply here

PUBLICATION: service user views on the prison estate

User Voice have published a service user response to The Justice Committee’s inquiry into 'Prisons: Planning and Policy'. The response records the reactions of service user led focus groups to the Government’s programme of reforms and efficiency savings within prison. The groups felt that working prisons had been achieved to an extent, but with serious flaws and reservations; lower operational costs are having a serious negative impact on their security, safety, environment, food, and access to education, books and courses; and the location of their prison had or has a negative impact on mental health, safety and desistance. Download the report here

OPPORTUNITY: host required for new women's alliance

A new alliance is being set up to look at new approaches to addressing why too many women and girls end up in courts and prisons, with drug, alcohol and mental health problems, or otherwise in risky situations such as homelessness and street sex work or in violent relationships. The developing alliance is at the point where it wishes to appoint a permanent Chair, steering group and Director. To enable this the Transitional Steering Group wish to find a host organisation able to provide the support and infrastructure necessary. Expressions of interests need submitting by 2nd July. You can download the specification document here

CONSULTATION: sustainability fund for frontline organisations

The Office for Civil Society is currently consulting on a proposed £40m sustainability fund for frontline voluntary sector organisations. To make it easier for smaller organisations to have a say, they have created a shorter version of the full consultation. Please don’t feel you have to respond to every question in the consultation document – key points of feedback in bullet form are just as welcome as lengthy responses.  The consultation closes on July 24th. Have your say here

CONSULTATION: supporting male victims of rape and sexual abuse

Earlier this year the Government committed £500,000 to the first dedicated fund to support male victims of rape and sexual abuse. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is now asking for people’s views to help shape how this new pot of money is spent. MoJ is also interested in hearing from the friends and families of male survivors of sexual abuse, as well as charities and organisations who provide support to them. This is part of the government’s aim to ensure that its policies are well designed by encouraging stakeholders and the public to participate in the policy making process. Find out more and contribute here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Member vacancies this week include a Prison & Community Family Worker for Lifeline [HMYOI Isis & London Boroughs], a Services Manager for CRI [West Kent & East Sussex], a Case Officer with Sova [St Albans], a Prison Recovery Coordinator for Lifeline [HMP Buckley Hall], an Assistant Volunteer Co-ordinator with WYCCP [Leeds], a Senior Housing Officer with Langley House Trust [Coventry], a WIRE Caseworker [London], Contact Centre Team Leader [London] and a Trainer/Assessor [Cardiff] with St Giles Trust, and a Performance, Systems and Quality Officer at Foundation [flexible, with travel to Leeds]. For more information about these vacancies and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Get £25 off Butlins stays with the code 'BUTLINSSAVER' if you book online before Thu 31 Jul. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Serving and former members of the armed forces can register with Crown Carveries for a free meal tomorrow (28th June), to mark Armed Forces Day. Details
  • Tip of the week III: Two people can stay overnight in a Georgian manor in Norfolk for £99. Deal includes a glass of buck's fizz, a cream tea on arrival, a 3-course dinner and a bottle of wine. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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Joe Gardham

Clinks

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