Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 351 | 11th July 2014

[[{"fid":"864","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default"}}]]

In this week's edition....
 

CLINKS OPPORTUNITY: help develop guidance on young adults

Clinks is developing guidance for probation practitioners on working with young adults, on behalf of the Transition to Adulthood Alliance. We are looking for projects to visit that exemplify good practice and creative, effective approaches to working with young adults on probation licence. Visits will take place between September and November 2014 and will involve meeting frontline workers and service users to find out what makes the service effective. We are inviting statutory, voluntary and private sector services to submit an expression of interest form by Friday 15th August 2014, and we will then select a small number of projects to visit. For more information download the form here 

CLINKS SURVEY: the role and value of volunteers

Clinks' Justice Involving Volunteers in Europe (JIVE) project is keen to identify the level and nature of volunteering within the Criminal Justice System across Europe. Our online survey will help gather evidence and give us a better understanding of how and why European organisations working with prisoners and (ex) offenders use volunteers, highlighting what works and beginning a dialogue on best practice. The survey focuses on areas including selection and engagement with volunteers, how they are trained and motivated, and how organisations structure the work carried out by volunteers. If you use volunteers in your organisation, have your say here 

CLINKS CASE STUDY: health outcomes for vulnerable women

Lancashire Women's Centres is a Clinks member operating 10 One Stop Shop centres for women in the community throughout Lancashire. As part of our role in the Health and Care Strategic Partner Programme, we produced a case study that highlights their experiences providing NHS-commissioned mental health services to improve health outcomes for the women they work with. Download the case study here 

CLINKS MEMBERSHIP: Make your voice heard

Join our network of over 600 voluntary sector members working in criminal justice and receive a host of exclusive benefits. We regularly consult our membership regarding Criminal Justice System developments, giving you a voice and an opportunity to highlight issues that affect your work. As a member you'll be invited to participate in roundtable discussions and regular surveys, and we're always available to discuss your concerns and offer support. Click here to join

ARTS ALLIANCE OPPORTUNITY: be part of a research and development programme

In order to build on the Arts Alliance’s past and current work, they are embarking on an ambitious research and delivery programme – Inspiring Futures, which aims to bring about a step-change in the credibility and the reach of arts projects within the Criminal Justice System. They are therefore looking for expressions of interest from arts organisations who want to be involved in the project. Up to six arts projects across various art forms and geographical locations will be selected to develop creative projects alongside the research team. To be eligible, your arts project must be designed to deliver rehabilitative outcomes for offenders or ex-offenders with a focus on a desistance based approach. The deadline for expressing an interest is 5pm, 12th September 2014. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: new website

i-HOP have launched their new-look website. New features include a news page with all the latest updates and developments related to children and families of offenders. There are also five new sector specific pages – for criminal justice professionals, health professionals, education professionals, early years professionals and a page all about workforce development. Each new page has information specifically useful to each sector that can assist professionals in their work supporting children and families affected by offending. Take a look here 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: prison officer numbers

Wednesday's Newsnight opened with a piece about the number of deaths in custody, linked to prison officer numbers and overcrowding. Interviewees included Clinks member Frances Crook from Howard League League for Penal Reform, who warns of the impact on public safety as a result of failing prisons; Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons reports more prisons failing to meet acceptable standards in their inspections; Michael Spurr, Chief Executive of NOMS, who said a £900m investment, in the face of a further 25% budget cut this year, would be needed to end overcrowding; and Eoin McLennan-Murray, President of the Prison Governor's Association who felt it would be nice if politics were taken out of prisons. Watch the (approx.) 13 minute piece here 

COMMISSIONING: victims' services in Surrey

The police and crime commissioner for Surrey is seeking expressions of interest to provide and promote high quality non-specialist support services, tailored to individual needs, to enable victims to cope and recover from the impact of crime. The contract will be awarded to a single contractor to provide a single access point for all victim referrals and assessments, together with local accessible non-specialist services for those who require further support. The deadline for expressions of interest is 19th August 2014. Find out more here 

FUNDING: improving health

The IMPACT Awards recognise and reward small to medium-sized charities in the UK that are doing excellent work to improve people's health. Applicants must target community health needs in the UK and have a track record of achievement in this area. The Awards recognise excellence in existing work and do not seek to fund new projects. Up to ten winners will receive £30,000 unrestricted funding with one overall winner receiving an extra £10,000. Winners will also receive free training and development valued at up to £6,000, a specially commissioned professional film and photographs along with publicity and press support. Up to ten runners-up will receive £3,000. The deadline for applications is 19th September 2014. Find out more and apply here 

FUNDING: for inter faith activities

The Inter Faith Youth Trust will award grants of between £200 and £500 for proposals for inter faith activities by children and young people from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and other faiths and those of no formal faith in understanding and co-operation. The age range for young people is 11-25 years. Projects should take place during Inter Faith Week (16th - 22nd November 2014). The deadline for applications is 31st August 2014. Find out more here 

FUNDING: engaging local communities

The People's Postcode Trust's Small Grants Programme is now open to applications from Wales and the East and West Midlands of England. Grants range from £500 to £20,000 for organisations in England and up to £5,000 for those in Wales. The Trust is looking for projects that engage local communities and leaves a positive long term impact beyond the duration of funding. Priority will be given to projects that are focused on improving life for disadvantaged groups and encouraging their inclusion within society. The deadline for applications is 22nd August. Find out more here 

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: play by prisoners

'Den of Thieves' is a Synergy Theatre Project performance [23rd July and 24th July, 2pm, HMP Brixton] performed by a cast of prisoners with professional actors. "Welcome to the world of disorganized crime. Cracking a safe may not be the perfect road to recovery for kleptomaniacs Maggie and Paul but, when her ex-boyfriend Flaco entices them with a plan for the perfect crime that only a bunch of idiots could f**k up, what could possibly go wrong?" Download the flyer here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: opportunities in the drugs and alcohol field

Lifeline are holding a recruitment event [16th July, HMP Leeds, 6pm] which will include information about the organisation and management, practioner, administration & volunteer opportunities. Lifeline is dedicated to improving lives of individuals, families and communities affected by drugs and alcohol. Their prison Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services & Young People’s Drug & Alcohol Support Services offer a range of innovative interventions supporting people to make positive changes. Find out more here 

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: drama and neuroscience

'Theatre and the Brain' is a Rideout workshop [24th July, Coventry, £30] led by John Bergman, founder of Geese Theatre Company USA. This workshop will explore John's recent work where he has been developing drama-based methodologies for working with offenders that draw extensively on research from neuroscience. This is a rare opportunity to work with a pioneer in applied drama and will provide a fascinating insight into some of the newest thinking in this field. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: the importance of accommodation

'Stable Housing - is this really an option?' is a NoOffence! and Fry Housing Trust event [10th September, Birmingham, from £132] focusing on the importance of accommodation within the criminal justice sector. This conference will focus on a number of issues, including the importance of accommodation, as a service and also its significant link to desistance. It will consider the future of accommodation both in relation to the Transforming Rehabilitation agenda and within the current economic environment. The sector changes rapidly and with accommodation services being so integral to the success of reducing reoffending it will be important to address all of this from a number of angles, particularly including localism, allocations policies and supporting people cuts. More information and bookings here 

NON-MEMBERS' EVENTS AND TRAINING

  • 'Secure Estate of the Mind' | 1st August, London, free | Details 
  • 'The Sixth Annual Postgraduate Criminology Conference 2014' | 27th - 28th August, Nottingham, £55 | Details

CONSULTATION: the Labour party and the sector

'Renewing our bond with the third sector' is a Labour party consultation that asks for the third sector’s views on seven key issues: volunteering; people in the voluntary sector; supporting charities to grow; charities and procurement; the Big Lottery Fund; charity campaigns; and the Charity Commission. It is seeking views on whether the current definition of a charity is fit for purpose and steps that can be taken to protect charity workers. The deadline for responding to the consultation is 15th September 2014. Have your say here 

CONSULTATION: national minimum wage

The Low Pay Commission (LPC) has been asked to prepare a report on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) by the end of February 2015, and are consulting the sector. The Government has asked the LPC to monitor, evaluate, and review the levels of the different NMW rates and make recommendations on the levels from October 2015; consider whether any changes can be made to the Apprentice Rate; and review the conditions that need to be in place to allow the value of the minimum wage to increase in real terms. The consultation runs until 26th September 2014. Have your say here 

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Member vacancies this week include: a Trainer and Peer/Volunteer Coordinator with Shelter [North East], Drug & Alcohol and Family Practitioners with Lifeline Project [HMYOI Feltham], 3 x Housing Support Assistants with Foundation [Bradford], a Senior Recovery Worker with CRI [Brighton & Hove], a Market Research Volunteer with PACT [London/flexible], a Volunteer Coordinator with Sova [Essex/home based], an Office Manager (maternity cover) with women@ thewell [London], a Recovery Worker with CRI [Hastings], 3x Trainee Support Workers and a Support Worker with Changing Lives [Newcastle], a Programme Manager with User Voice [Birmingham], and a Volunteer Coordinator and 2 x IAG Officers with Apex Charitable Trust [St Helens]. For further information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: New Parcel2Go customers get £10 credit, with no minimum spend. Use the code 'OFFERFREE'. Details 
  • Tip of the week II: Get a free £8 cocktail or £4 pint at Pitcher & Piano. Details
  • Tip of the week III: For £89 per night two people can stay in a Victorian country house in the Scottish Borders. The deal includes dinner and wine. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

Get involved Become a Member | Follow Clinks on Twitter | Join Mailing List

Contact Us www.clinks.org | info@clinks.org | 0207 248 3538

 

About Clinks Light Lunch

This edition of Light Lunch has been sent to the inbox of 8,503 people working (or with an interest) in the Criminal Justice System of England & Wales. Who are they?

To submit content, email joe.gardham@clinks.org before 12pm Wednesday

To unsubscribe, email joe.gardham@clinks.org

[Terms of Use]

 

Designed, composed and circulated every Friday by...

Joe Gardham

Clinks

Mob: 07969 727 129