Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 387 | 24th April 2015

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In this week's edition....

CLINKS REPORT: state of the sector

Today we are launching our 'state of the sector' report, highlighting how your organisations are faring in the current economic, political and operational climate. The report shows that the voluntary sector working with offenders and their families continues to be diverse, and the needs of the people you work with are increasing and becoming more complex. We found that volunteering remains vital for the sector, and volunteer recruitment is increasing. Financially, many of you are relying on your reserves, putting you at risk of closure, and the majority of you rarely receive full cost recovery on the contracts you deliver. The survey is more important than ever, as it helps to inform the support we give to our members and the messages we communicate to policy makers, so that the sector can continue its vital work. Download the report here

CLINKS EVENT: infrastructure support for families organisations

Clinks is running two free facilitated events to better understand the needs of members working with families of offenders. The first event [11am – 4pm, 12th May, London] will focus on identifying priorities for the work. The second event [1pm - 4pm, 4th June, Manchester] will give an opportunity to comment on the draft priorities. Both meetings will also consider the most relevant way that Clinks can ensure there is effective long term support for this group of members. Clinks is very keen to consult with as many organisations as possible about how we develop this work, so this is an opportunity for you to put forward your views. If you are interested in attending either or both of these events, please e-mail robert.price@clinks.org. If you are unable to attend but would like to express your views please e-mail richard.nicholls@clinks.org

CLINKS RESOURCE: engaging police and crime commissioners

In partnership with Compact Voice, we've published 'Practical guide to engaging with police and crime commissioners', based on the experiences of a range of organisations who have established strong links with police and crime commissioners. It highlights a number of steps organisations can follow if they wish to build better links themselves. Download the guide here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: charity withdraws from TR consortium

Addaction announced last week that they have pulled out of their Transforming Rehabilitation consortium, saying: "Addaction, a UK charity leading in the provision of specialist services which help people and communities overcome the effects of drug and alcohol misuse, today announces its decision to withdraw from its membership of Purple Futures LLP. Addaction has reluctantly decided to withdraw from the Partnership due to a failure to agree the detail of subcontracting arrangements. Addaction wishes the Partnership every success for the future." Purple Futures said: "Unfortunately, we have been unable to agree mutually satisfactory terms with Addaction to provide case management and interventions for offenders with substance misuse problems. Addaction’s decision will not impact the provision of drug and alcohol addiction services which will continue to be delivered using existing providers." Find out more about Addaction here and read the Purple Futures news release here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: restorative justice video

Restorative Justice Council (RJC) launched 'Moving on' last week - a short film about restorative justice that brings to life the way many victims continue to suffer the effects of crime long after the event and how restorative justice can help. The film shows Lucy, the victim of a mugging, replaying events endlessly in her mind. Only when she meets the mugger in a restorative justice conference is she able to put the incident behind her – it gives her a chance to explain the impact of the crime, and humanises him in the process. Watch the video here 

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: next government's priorities for excluded people

Revolving Doors Agency (RDA) has published a new ‘manifesto’, setting out five priorities for an incoming government to improve the lives of some of the most excluded people in society. With the overall impact of severe and multiple disadvantage conservatively estimated to cost £10.1 billion a year, the manifesto argues that the next government cannot afford to continue in a situation where shrinking public funds are tied up paying for the consequences of repeated failed interventions. The five priorities, developed in consultation with members of RDA's National Service User Forum, aim to achieve a more effective approach. Find out more and download the manifesto here 

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: influence change in your field of work

LankellyChase Foundation has developed the 'Systems Changers' programme, a £3,000 bursary scheme for frontline practitioners to amplify their insight of supporting those facing severe and multiple disadvantage. LankellyChase feel those working at the frontline with some of the most vulnerable people in the country are often under-heard, under-resourced and over-stretched. They can see the ways in which the system that they are working in needs to change so it can work better for those it’s trying to serve, but rarely have the time or the space to really think about - and champion - alternative approaches and solutions. Find out more and apply for the bursary here 

FUNDING: supporting London's disadvantaged

Grants of between £5,000 and £20,000 are available to support work where there is clear evidence of benefit to people in London who are excluded or disadvantaged through low income, rural or social isolation, age, disability, race, sexuality or gender. Applicants must have been active in their local community for at least 12 months and have an annual income of £250,000 or less. Groups must also be run by local people and active in disadvantaged or deprived areas of London. The deadline for applications is 8th May. Find out more and apply here 

FUNDING: supporting an ageing population

The Accelerating Ideas pilot is calling on ideas and projects focusing on the opportunities and challenges presented by an ageing population in the UK. Funding is available for projects that broaden the impact of tested approaches to increase resilience, reduce isolation, and improve engagement and the influence of older people in the UK. Ideas that focus on specific ageing issues or focus on a particular group of people are also welcome. Projects should be of national and UK-wide significance (in terms of interest, impact or influence). There is no funding limit or deadline, and any type of legally constituted organisation in the UK can apply. Find out more and apply here 

FUNDING: building local partnerships

Grants of £8,000 are available to help organisations work with local people to identify the issues that matter most to them and to develop partnerships and plans. These partnerships develop plans to tackle local issues and have the potential to influence how local budgets are spent, redesigning and potentially commissioning, managing or delivering services locally – revolutionising the way their neighbourhood works. The deadline for applications is 8th May. Find out more and apply here 

FUNDING: sport for London's inactive

Grants of between £400 and £1,500 are available to run free sports activities for Londoners, especially those who are inactive or do not normally participate in sport. The funding is intended to be used primarily for revenue costs (the day to day running of a project, such as coaching or venue hire), but a small amount may be used for small-scale, non-fixed equipment. The deadline for applications is 18th May. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: digital innovation

'Tech for Good' is a Comic Relief pilot programme to support and fund digital innovation and transformation within the UK not-for-profit sector. It is targeted at not for profit organisations which already have some technical expertise and capacity to use digital approaches to make things happen. They will consider any digital innovation / transformation project so long as it fits within one of their five themes: Better Futures, Safer Lives, Healthier Finances, Stronger Communities; Fairer Society. Up to £60,000 will be available for up to six months with projects needing to be ready to start by mid-July. Grants must be fully spent by February 2016. The closing date for applications is 3pm on Friday 8th May. Find out more here 

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: residential support for bereaved victims

Escaping Victimhood are running their residential programme [1st - 4th June, Newcastle, free] for those bereaved through murder, manslaughter or culpable road death. Participants can: Learn more about the physical and emotional impact of trauma; Attend sessions on personal change to help put the traumatic event in the context of their whole lives - past and future; Experience relaxing therapies, such as massage and reflexology; Use painting, photography, or other creative activities to find new forms of expression; Spend time with people with a similar experience; and Benefit from individual sessions. Find out more and book your place here 

AWARD: creative solutions to tackling homelessness

The Andy Ludlow Homelessness Awards seek to recognise organisations that have developed innovative and creative solutions to tackling homelessness in London. Projects that strive to improve services for homeless people, prevent homelessness or tackle disadvantage caused by homelessness - and that have been running for a minimum of six months - are eligible to enter. For 2015, there is a total of £55,000 available which will be divided as a first prize of £30,000; second prize of £15,000; and third prize of £10,000. The prize money must be used to enhance or replicate the services of the project or to develop new services. The deadline for entries is 14th May. Find out more and submit your entry here 

RESOURCE: vote for policies manifesto tool

Vote for Policies is a non-profit, independent organisation with a mission to increase participation in elections, and make policies the focus of voting decisions. Their interactive website allows individuals to compare policies, in the words of each of the main political parties, without knowing which party they belong to. Each issue takes about five minutes to complete, and you can select as few or as many issues as you have time for. Light Lunch readers have a unique link, so we can share your results with you in a few weeks. Get started here 

FEATURED JOB VACANCY: Ixion Justice Division

Following significant contract wins, Ixion is recruiting for a number of positions within their newly established Justice Division, and within their key custodial delivery partner Pact. Working on contracts across the West Midlands and South East of England you will be contributing to the delivery of a key European Social Funded ‘social inclusion’ contract under round 3 of NOMS ESF Co-financing organisation’s national programme. The key positions that Ixion are looking to secure are: Regional Development Managers; Regional Managers; Performance and Supply Chain Managers; Senior Case Managers (custody & community); Community Case Managers; Custodial Case Managers (working with Pact); Office Administrators; Quality Assurance & Data Integrity Assistants. The closing date for applications is 30th April 2015. Find out more and apply here 

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Job vacancies this week include: a Forensic Mental Health Practitioner with Together for Mental Wellbeing [London], a Young Persons Specialist Caseworker with CRI [West Sussex], a Homeless Hospital Navigation Team Manager [Sunderland] and 2x Hospital Service Navigators [Chester Le Street] and a Family Support Worker [Newcastle] with Changing Lives, an Administrator/Receptionist with Brighton Oasis Project [Brighton]. View these and other vacancies here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: For £90 two people can stay overnight at the Queens Court Hotel, Exeter. The deal includes a cooked breakfast and six course tasting menu. Details
  • Tip of the week II: For £45 two people can enjoy a 5-course tasting-menu meal and palate cleanser at the AA-Rosette-awarded Healds Hall Hotel, Wakefield. Details 
  • Tip of the week III: Get four free tickets for Ascot Races on Wednesday 29th April. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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Contact Us www.clinks.org | info@clinks.org | 020 7383 0966

 

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