Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 500 | 1st September 2017

[[{"fid":"199","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Light lunch banner","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Light lunch banner"},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Light lunch banner","title":"Light lunch banner","class":"media-element file-default"}}]]

In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: 500th edition

This is the 500th edition of Light Lunch! Thank you to all our subscribers and contributors, who have helped make this ebulletin one of the most popular reads for professionals working in the criminal justice system.

CLINKS NEWS: lobbying act

Clinks is one of 122 signatories on a letter written by Bond which calls for a review of the Lobbying Act sent to civil society minister Tracey Crouch on the 29th August. The letter states 'While we recognise that regulation is necessary to ensure that no one individual or organisation can exert undue influence at an election, the Lobbying Act has had a disproportionate impact on civil society campaigning. We are concerned that it caused many organisations not to engage in the run up to the recent general election, and resulted in some important voices being lost from public debate.' Find out more here

CLINKS NEWS: families special interest group

The notes from the most recent meeting on the 19th July of the Reducing Re-offending Third Sector (RR3) Special Interest Group on families are now online. This Special Interest Group has been convened to offer an opportunity for organisations to work with HM Prisons and Probation Service on the commissioning of family services. At the meeting the group discussed Assisted Prison Visits and the challenges of working in prisons. Find out more here

CLINKS PARTNER'S NEWS: race, mental health and criminal justice

Nacro, along with Clinks, Association for Mental Health Providers, and the Race Equality Foundation, have published ‘Race, mental health and criminal justice: Moving forward’. This joint briefing explores the challenges in providing effective mental health support for people from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities that have contact with the criminal justice system, and gives recommendations on how to address them. People from BAME communities are disproportionately represented at all stages of the criminal justice system, and are also more likely than white Britons to access mental health care via criminal justice rather than through local health services. Read the briefing here

CLINKS EVENT: annual general meeting

All are welcome to attend our Annual General Meeting (AGM) [2nd November, 4pm, London, free]. The AGM allows us to carry out business vital to our work, including electing trustees and appointing auditors. The event is also a great opportunity to network and comment on our work and priorities for the year ahead. The meeting will be followed by a drinks reception where you can meet with fellow members, policy makers and funders. Book your place at the AGM here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: older prisoners

Recoop has developed a 50+ Resettlement programme for older prisoners. 'Transition' is a short programme delivered at a pace which lends itself to the learning and engagement style of older people. It addresses five key areas: health and wellbeing; benefits and personal budgeting; re-establishing links with friends and family; accessing community services; and volunteering. Tracy Eadie, Lead Partnership Consultant, said: “Whilst the programme is designed for those approaching the 12 weeks to release point, it’s equally useful to those who are further away from release by reducing the anxiety often felt by older people who may have a smaller, or indeed no, network of support. It also enables them more time to consider and pre-plan in readiness for their transition back into the community”. Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: prison population projections

The Ministry of Justice has published its Prison Population Projections 2017-2022 for England and Wales. The prison population is projected to remain stable in the period to June 2019, but then increase to 1,600 places above the current level in March 2022. This reflects an overall increase in custody rates and sentence lengths and a growth in remand levels which is higher than previously expected. Find out more here

FUNDING: multiple disadvantage

The Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales Invest Programme is now open. Grants are available for between £10,000 and £25,000 per year for two or three years. The Invest Programme’s funding will support longer term core or direct delivery funding for charities which are delivering clear outcomes as a result of their work with people aged 17 years and older who are experiencing multiple disadvantage. The deadline for initial applications is 22nd September. Find out more here

FUNDING: small and medium businesses

Market Drayton Business Grant Scheme aims to support the growth of new and existing small and medium businesses in Market Drayton and those wishing to relocate or expand their business into Market Drayton. The scheme will support projects which will: create new jobs and contribute to the creation of new employment opportunities; contribute to the creation of new businesses; increase productivity and turnover; enable inward investment; and encourage innovation, diversification and business growth. The programme has an overall budget of £450,000. The deadline for applications is ongoing, however it is a competitive grant scheme so early applications are encouraged. Contact enquiries@marchesgrowthhub.co.uk

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: peace wall

The PEACE (People, Ethnicity, Age and Community Engagement) Project, a cross borough partnership between Nubian Life Resource Centre and PLIAS Resettlement, will be launching a Peace Wall on World Peace Day [21st September, London, free] as part of an intergenerational project. The project has worked with communities from all cultural and faith backgrounds in Brent and Hammersmith and Fulham. The Peace Wall aims to remind, inform, educate and raise awareness about the importance of peace. For more information contact peaceproject@plias.co.uk

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: restorative justice

Restorative Solutions CIC has a range of Restorative Approaches Open Training Courses running across the country, including Manchester and online, throughout autumn, with some remaining places left. The training is suitable for all organisations that wish to apply restorative approaches to their everyday work. It includes training on domestic abuse, becoming a restorative practitioner, sensitive and complex cases and working with sexually harmful behaviour. Contact Helen Mason, Restorative Solutions Training and Development Manager for further details at Helenmason@restorativesolutions.org.uk

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: mentoring and substance misuse

Vison Housing has two training courses available, the NCFE Level 2 Award in Mentoring, and the NCFE level 1 Award in substance misuse [£270 plus VAT, various dates and locations available]. The mentoring course will identify roles and benefits alongside best practise. The substance misuse course will provide a broader understanding of the causes and consequences of substance misuse. Contact Vision Housing for more details info@visionhousing.org.uk 

PUBLICATION:  prison voicemail

Prison Voicemail has published an evaluation of its services carried out by Lauren Mumby and Professor Todd Hogue of the University of Lincoln. Prison Voicemail asked the University to help assess the impact of Prison Voicemail on prisoners and their families. Between February and June this year surveys were sent to a sample of service users, with responses received from 81 prisoners and 77 family members, representing 56 prisons. Prisoners reported positive impacts on their behaviour and likelihood of reoffending. 63% said Prison Voicemail helps them to behave better in prison. Read the report here

OPPORTUNITY: fundraising training

The Foundation for Social Improvement is offering discounted training [13th September, Lancaster, from £15] on courses based around fundraising. There are 100 reduced cost places available for small charities. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: a Children's and Families Practitioner with Lincolnshire Action Trust [HMP Humber], a Casework Assistant with Inquest [London], a Recovery Worker with The Forward Trust [Kent], a Housing Management Worker with Changing Lives [York], a Rent Deposit Bond Scheme Administrator with Nacro [Bedford], a Non-Executive Director with Changing Lives [North East], a Trustee with Prisoners' Advice Service [London], a Voluntary Chair with Prisoner Learning Alliance [London], and a Mentor with Kenward Trust [Medway Town]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

DID YOU KNOW...

...Our members support and share best practice with each other through the Service User Involvement Network? Are you new to service user involvement work? Would you like to change how you involve your service users? Come to our next meeting in Manchester on the 12th October

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: £5 return coach trip to Paris, Amsterdam or Brussels.  Details
  • Tip of the week II: £5 for 36 perennial plants. Details
  • Tip of the Week III: £5 pizzas on Mondays at Strada. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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

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

 

About Clinks Light Lunch

This edition of Light Lunch has been sent to the inbox of 10,941 people working (or with an interest) in the criminal justice system of England & Wales. Who are they?

To submit content, read the Notes for Contributors here

To unsubscribe, email rhiannedd.mclean@clinks.org

[Disclaimer]

 

Designed, composed and circulated every Friday by...

Rhiannedd Mclean