Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 493 | 14th July 2017

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In this week's edition...

LIGHT LUNCH CORRECTION

We published an article last week on Maggie Parks receiving an OBE in which we wrote that she worked for Voluntary Sector Cornwall, when in fact she works for Women's Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre. Our apologies for this error. Read about Maggie's OBE here

CLINKS NEWS: state of the sector

Our State of the sector report has been launched at an event on the 12th July attended by Clinks' members and key figures in the voluntary sector. The report looks at the results from a survey of over 200 voluntary organisations working in criminal justice, the financial analysis of 752 charities and 220 companies (social enterprises and community interest companies) and 10 in depth interviews. This year we've worked with NCVO to develop our methodology. We found that organisations are responding creatively to challenges, as service user needs become more complex and urgent. We will be working with key stakeholders to think about how Clinks and others can respond to the findings to ensure the sector can continue their work. Download the report here

CLINKS NEWS: challenges facing criminal justice charities

Clinks' Head of Policy and Communications, Nathan Dick, has written an article in the Guardian discussing the impact of the voluntary sector on the UK's criminal justice system. More people are working in criminal justice charities than in the prison and probation services combined. He writes, "We know the prison system is in desperate need of reform and that probation services are struggling to resettle people into the community. We believe the voluntary sector is key to any reform because it is the backbone of our rehabilitation and resettlement services." Read the article here

CLINKS NEWS: women's networking

The notes from the last meeting of the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group women’s networking forum have been published. The meeting took place in April in London. Organisations raised many issues during the event including: working with increasingly complex clients is having a negative impact on staff and volunteers, some organisations are actively recruiting volunteers to support clients as they can’t afford to recruit staff, accessing funding remains a challenge with short term funding making it difficult for organisations to strategically plan. Meetings are hosted in partnership with Women’s Breakout, Women’s Resource Centre and Agenda. Find out more here

CLINKS EVENT: prisoners and families affected by bereavement

Clinks is co-hosting a roundtable with Adfam [8th August, London, free/£30] to identify and discuss key issues around supporting prisoners and family members affected by bereavement. People affected by bereavement in prison may experience ‘disenfranchised grief’, being unable to grieve for their losses in socially acceptable ways. This event will be an opportunity to discuss any work your organisation is currently doing to support people affected by bereavement, identify your support needs in this area and how these might be met, and influence Clinks’ thinking on bereavement. You will also here from one of Adfam’s peer support volunteers about the work they do supporting people who are bereaved through alcohol or drugs. Find out more and book here

CLINKS EVENT: working in prisons

Amanda Sherriff, who is delivering the Clinks Good Prison project, is holding a morning networking event at HMP Exeter [31st August, HMP Exeter, free]. The event is an opportunity for agencies working with prisoners or ex-prisoners in or out of the prison to find out about how the pathfinder prison project is progressing and how the new Offender Management model is embedding into the prison. You will be able to problem solve with other agencies and have a space to talk about what is current in your service. Amanda invites voluntary sector projects to contact her if they wish to attend at Amanda.Sherriff@hmps.gsi.gov.uk

CLINKS EVENT: come into prison

At this ‘Outside-In Event’ [7th September, HMP Dartmoor, free] organisations will be able to meet prisoners at HMP Dartmoor and discuss the services they offer. The previous event was attended by 80% of the prison’s population. This is a full day event that includes lunch and a tour, and a visit from the Governor. Previous event feedback has been good with one prisoner citing the event as “the most useful thing anyone has ever done for me in custody.” Amanda Sherriff who is delivering the Clinks Good Prison project, invites voluntary sector projects to contact her if they wish to attend at Amanda.Sherriff@hmps.gsi.gov.uk

CLINKS EVENT: substance misuse and addiction

We are looking for voluntary organisations (either delivering services in prison and/or in the community or with expertise on substance misuse) to attend a one-off roundtable [11th October, London, free] for providers in the substance misuse sector. The meeting, convened by the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group, whose chair and secretariat is provided by Clinks, will look at issues such as commissioning, influencing policy and working more closely with prisons. The aim will be to communicate findings to the Ministry of Justice on working effectively with the voluntary sector to address the needs of people with substance misuse issues. To register your interest please provide a few sentences on why you would like to join the roundtable, by Friday 4th August, to Oonagh.ryder@clinks.org

CLINKS PARTNER'S BLOG: a changing funding landscape

Lisa Hornung, research officer at NCVO, has written a blog on the Clinks State of the Sector report, which included an analysis of financial accounts of organisations based on the NCVO Almanac data set, as well as surveys and interviews. Lisa writes that voluntary organisations working in criminal justice are facing a changing funding landscape: "The sector, which is largely dependent on government income, has seen an overall static income from government becoming more centralised and almost entirely focused on contracts delivered mainly by larger organisations." Read the blog here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: moving forwards

The Rehabilitation of Addicted Prisoners Trust (RAPt) and social enterprise Blue Sky have merged under the new name ‘The Forward Trust’. The Hon David Bernstein, Chair of The Forward Trust, said: “By combining the skills and expertise of these two organisations, with over 35 years’ experience between them, we hope to help more people to break the cycles of crime and addiction, which are so often interlinked, to move forward with their lives.” Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: prisoners' education

The Prisoners' Education Trust is holding the Prisoner Learning Alliance (PLA) conference [14th September, Leicester, free] on the theme 'Doing Things Differently: A New Era for Prison Education', focusing on the different ways in which prisons, providers and voluntary sector organisations are adapting to this changing landscape. Confirmed speakers include Russ Trent (Governor, HMP Berwyn), Phil Novis (Governor, HMP Leicester) and Maria Navarro (National Lead for Offender Learning, Ofsted). The conference will also feature the annual PLA awards, recognising people who have made outstanding contributions to learning in prison, all nominated by serving prisoners. Find out more and book here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: probation inspection in London

HMI Probation will be inspecting work of the National Probation Service London division during the weeks commencing 4th September, 11th September and 2nd October. If you have any queries about this, please contact HMI Probation (Enquiries) mailbox at: HMIP.Enquiries@hmiprobation.gsi.gov.uk.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: assisted prison visits

Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service has published guidance on the assisted prison visits scheme. The Assisted Prison Visits Scheme provides a contribution towards prison visit costs for close relatives, partners or sole visitors, who are on a low income. The guidance includes details of how to apply, entitlements, and payment rates and income limits. Download the guidance here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: male prison inspections

HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) has published its fifth edition of ‘Expectations’, the criteria against which they inspect prisons for men. This edition aims to bring Expectations up to date so that they can continue to fulfil their responsibility to deliver independent and objective assessments of outcomes for prisoners. Expectations is designed to promote treatment and conditions in detention which at least meet recognised international human rights standards. In particular, they seek to ensure that any restrictions imposed on prisoners are proportionate, lawful, accountable, necessary and non-discriminatory. Clinks responded to the consultation which formed the basis of these Expectations, and we are pleased to see that many of our recommendations were adopted by HMIP. Find out more here

FUNDING: crime prevention

The London Crime Prevention Fund has £10 million for 2018/19 and then £4.5 million for 2019/20, for projects across London to address the following priorities: youth offending; child sexual exploitation; sexual violence; and female offending. Services have to deliver across at least three boroughs. The deadline for expressions of interest is 14th August. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: community grants

Woking Borough Council operates an annual community grants scheme for charities and voluntary organisations carrying out work in Woking Borough. Applications are now open for the 2018/19 financial year towards capital projects (such as the purchase of equipment), one-off projects and revenue costs (such as salaries and rent). Submissions are completed via the application e-form available through the Woking Borough Council website. The deadline for applications is 8th September. Find out more and apply here

PUBLICATION: fitness for prisoners

'Cell Workout' by L J Flanders is a bodyweight training programme which Flanders devised during his time spent in prison - the only way he said he could keep fit and stay in control of his mental and physical health during his sentence. Flanders said: “Gym time can be extremely limited and exercise is hugely important to many, for physical and mental health and wellbeing, and as a way of channelling their energy in the right direction. I created Cell Workout in an effort to help teach those with few resources and space how to train to work towards achieving their fitness goals.” Find out more here

RESEARCH: LGBTQ+ prisoners

An Open University research study is interested in the life stories of LGBTQ+ people who have either served a prison sentence or worked as a prison officer in a women’s prison in England. If you identify as lesbian/gay, bisexual, trans, queer or intersex, and have either served a prison sentence or worked as a prison officer in a women’s prison in England, then this project is interested in your story. If you think you might like to take part and speak anonymously and confidentially about your life experiences to a researcher, the project would like to hear from you. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: a Health and Safety Manager with The Forward Trust [London/East Kent], a National Criminal Justice Development Manager with Together for Mental Wellbeing [London], a Courts Co-ordinator with Pact, a Single Point of Contact Worker with Disc, Ex-Prisoner Exhibition Hosts with The Koestler Trust [London], a Resettlement Officer with Prisoners Abroad, a Project Worker with Nacro, and a Treasurer with Hacro [Homebased]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

DID YOU KNOW...

...our members get their views heard by policy makers and legislatures on issues which affect the voluntary sector and its service users. Clinks produces written responses to proposals through consultations and other feedback. You can find out more about member benefits here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Enter the code PIZZAJUL when you order online with Domino's to get 35% off when you spend £25 or more. Details
  • Tip of the week II: 30% off mains at Strada. Details
  • Tip of the Week III: Four nights in Rome from £69. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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