Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 439 | 27th May 2016

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In this week's edition...

CLINKS BLOGS: prison education review

Clinks' Policy Officer Nicola Drinkwater has written a blog highlighting five main themes in Dame Sally Coates' review of education in prison. Clinks submitted a response to the call for evidence for the review which highlighted the importance of a wide-ranging curriculum including the arts, sport and the involvement of families; and the role the voluntary sector can play in the provision of these. The National Alliance for Arts in Criminal Justice (NAACJ) also engaged in the review process and Alison Frater, Chair of the NAACJ has blogged about the review's recognition of the role that the arts can play in prison education. Read the Clinks blog here, and the NAACJ blog here

CLINKS CASE STUDY: supporting families in crisis

Clinks has published a case study on Children North East, a children’s charity that promotes the rights of children and young people and counters the effects of inequality on them, their families and communities. Their vision is for every child to have a happy and fulfilling childhood and that every young person has the chance to develop their full potential. They deliver a number of important services across the region including: family intervention and support to vulnerable families; emotional and mental health programmes for young people; mentoring projects; and education initiatives. Download the case study here

CLINKS EVENT: exhibition on multiple needs

Clinks and the Making Every Adult Matter coalition invite you to the 'Walking the Frontline exhbition on multiple needs' [7th June, Birmingham, free]. Designed with the help of participants in the Voices from the Frontline project, this exhibition tells stories about the challenges people experiencing multiple needs are facing, and the lessons that policymakers can draw from their experiences. We invite you to join us for tea and cake, where you can view the exhibits and hear from some of the people involved in the project, as well as guest speakers working in public health and multiple needs in the West Midlands. Find out more and book here

CLINKS EVENT: volunteering in prisons

Clinks and the Ministry of Justice invite you to the launch of the Clinks report 'Valuing volunteers in prison: a review of volunteer involvement' [Morning of 5th July, London, free]. The report will be launched by Andrew Selous, the Minister for Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation, and outlines the findings of our research, including the benefits of prison volunteering, the barriers and supports to volunteering, current examples of good practice and gaps, and recommendations on what could increase levels of volunteering in prisons. We will also be launching a report written by User Voice exploring service users' perceptions of prison volunteering, and a series of case studies showcasing volunteer involvement. To reserve your place, contact events@clinks.org

NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR ARTS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE EVENT: delivering arts interventions in prison

The National Alliance for Arts in Criminal Justice (NAACJ) is hosting a half-day workshop [23rd June, Birmingham, free for NAACJ members] with Safe Ground to provide an opportunity for experienced arts practitioners and NAACJ members to come together with leaders in the field and consider the challenges of delivering successful arts interventions in a prison setting. 'Arts in Prison: increasing access and delivering innovation' will explore the barriers and how we might overcome them; how we can work safely and effectively to support the needs of prisoners; and how we can be solution focused and creative in this challenging environment. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: award for diversity and inclusivity

Leap has been awarded the 2016 Charity Governance Award for 'Board diversity & inclusivity', recognising their commitment to ensuring they have a broad range of trustees who are supported to participate fully. Their trustees are representative of the diversity of the cohorts of young people with whom they work - 40% from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and 33% female trustees. Furthermore, at least three spaces on Leap’s board are reserved for young people who have graduated from their conflict resolution programmes. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: space needed for women's hub

Hibiscus Initiatives is to receive Big Lottery funding to set up a hub for marginalised foreign national, migrant and black and minority ethnic women affected by the criminal justice and immigration systems; and they are looking for premises in north or north east London. They require around 2,500 sq ft of space to accommodate up to 12 staff; with a large meeting room and two or more interviewing rooms; a bright, safe entrance; reception; kitchen; shower and lavatory; storage; good public transport links; ground floor access, or with lift; and access to outdoor space would be a bonus. They would prefer a medium-term lease (5 years) and are prepared to do work to the space if required. If you have suitable premises, or know of any, please contact Sam Yaqub at syaqub@hibiscusinitiatives.org.uk or telephone 0207 697 4243.

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: problem-solving courts

On 18th May, Centre for Justice Innovation hosted an address on problem-solving courts and justice reform by the former Chief Judge of the State of New York and Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals, The Honorable Jonathan Lippman; his speech is now available online. Judge Lippman has been a key advocate of problem-solving judicial reform and played a significant role in making New York courts fairer, more efficient and more relevant to society's problems. Drawing upon four decades of experience in the New York State Court system, Judge Lippman explored how courts can apply the principles of problem-solving and procedural fairness in England and Wales. Read the speech here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: preventing prison suicide

'Preventing prison suicide: Perspectives from the inside' is a Centre for Mental Health briefing that explores how prisons and healthcare providers can collaborate to prevent suicide in prisons. The briefing, produced with the Howard League for Penal Reform, focuses on the views and lived experience of those with current or past experience of prison, examining what contributes to vulnerability and risk of suicide. The briefing says staff shortages have increased the risk of suicide, relationships between staff and prisoners are key, and that prisoners described a culture where, on the whole, distress was not believed or responded to with compassion. Download the briefing here

CLINKS MEMBERS' NEWS: funding to support women and girls

The Big Lottery Fund has awarded funding to 64 projects to support women and girls to regain and retain control of their lives. The funding is focused on women of all ages faced with extremely difficult situations such as stalking, sexual exploitation, and violence against them, and also in mentoring and connecting young girls with role models. Clinks members receiving funding include A Way Out, Birth Companions, Hibiscus Initiatives, Housing For Women, One25 Limited, The Nelson Trust, Together Women, women@thewell, Women in Prison, and WomenCentre. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S CAMPAIGN: women's prison closure

Women in Prison's Reclaim Holloway campaign has launched a petition calling on the Government and the London Mayor’s office to ensure that upon the closure of the prison, the site at HMP Holloway and/or any profit from its sale, is retained for public housing and results in investment for community facilities. They say the closure is an opportunity to invest in women’s support services which are vital to help keep women out of prison and prevent reoffending. Find out more and sign the petition here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: supporting young people’s desistance

HM Inspectorate of Probation has published a report on the effectiveness of practice in Youth Offending Teams, looking at the main themes which desistance research has identified as being important in supporting children and young people’s routes away from offending. 'Desistance and young people' relates to findings from interviews undertaken with young people who had not reoffended for 12 months after the end of their community or custodial sentence and with those who had, to see what they thought worked or did not work for them. The report finds that a good relationship with key workers is pivotal in turning young people away from crime. Find out more here

FUNDING: tackling injustice

The Edge Fund is open to applications for grants of up to £3,000 from not-for-profit communities, campaign groups and activists in the UK that are working for social, economic and environmental justice. Work should challenge abuses of power and aim to bring an end to the systems that cause injustice, and this could be the economic system, political system, or any system that discriminates against people based on their identity or background. Grants of up to £1,000 are also available to individuals who face challenges because of their personal circumstances or background and have a real passion for justice and can demonstrate a clear commitment to taking action. The deadline for applications is 3rd July. Find out more and apply here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: bail accommodation open day

Stonham BASS is holding an open day [9th June, Lincoln, free] where they will be opening one of their properties for relevant stakeholders to see how their service is run and ask questions. Stonham BASS provides accommodation for the period of bail or home detention curfew, in the community, for up to four people in a shared house. This is an opportunity to hear first-hand how BASS impacts on service users' lives. There will be refreshments and an opportunity to meet with colleagues from other services within the sector. RSVP to eastmidlands@stonham-bass.org.uk.cjsm.net or call 0300 555 0264.

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: psychologically informed environments

Homeless Link is running a training course [13th June, Plymouth, from £105] on delivering a psychologically informed environment for social and economic value and impact. The course 'A practical guide to psychologically informed environments' will ask you to identify key elements you currently implement, and explore how to build on these, as well as how to apply the approach without, or at minimum, cost. The course is for health and social care commissioners, managers of homeless accommodation, outreach and day centre services, and senior staff from other sectors who have contact with people experiencing complex trauma. Find out more and book here

CLINKS PARTNER'S EVENT: prison healthcare commissioning

'No Health without Justice and No Justice without Health' will be an Academy for Justice Commissioning seminar [23rd June, London, free] that will look at the impact of NHS healthcare commissioning for people in prison. Dr Éamonn O’Moore, Public Health England's (PHE) National Lead for the Health & Justice Team, will reflect on the findings of PHE's evidence review of improvements in health outcomes for people in secure and detained settings, and identify emerging themes to be considered to ensure that prison healthcare continues to improve, not only for the benefit of people in prison, but for the wider population. Book your place here

CONSULTATION: Big Lottery's policy directions

The Cabinet Office has launched a consultation seeking views on new policy directions for the Big Lottery Fund which distributors must take into account when distributing the money generated through the National Lottery. Their intent while drafting these policy directions has been to respect the Big Lottery Fund’s strategic priorities including supporting the development of stronger, more resilient, more capable and empowered communities, improving the life chances of the most disadvantaged in society, and growing a more confident and capable voluntary sector. Clinks will be responding and we welcome the views of voluntary sector organisations to inform our response. To contribute please email anne.fox@clinks.org by Friday 22nd July. Find out more here

NON-MEMBERS' EVENTS & TRAINING

  • 'Using neuro-linguistic programming to help others and yourself' | 14th June, Liverpool, £90 | Details

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

New job vacancies this week include: an Advice and Information Officer (maternity cover) with Prison Reform Trust [London], an Engagement Team Member – Women’s Post with User Voice [London], a Support Worker with DISC [County Durham], a Trustee for Life Cycle UK [meetings usually held in Bristol], a Research and Policy Officer with INQUEST [London] and an Outreach Worker to Sex Working Women with The Nelson Trust [Gloucester]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Stay for 2 nights in North Yorkshire for £89. Deal includes breakfast. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Travel by National Express coach for £1 in June. Details
  • Tip of the week III: Receive a 'free' gift with Ikea purchases from 30th May. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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

 

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