Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 504 | 29th September 2017

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In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: Clinks thinks

Clinks has published an update to ‘Clinks Thinks’, a document which sets out fourteen principles and recommendations to improve the criminal justice system in order to transform lives and communities. These principles reflect the key policy issues raised by Clinks members, and the main issues on which Clinks advocates for change. They include: value the voluntary sector, put people at the heart of services, reduce the prison population, implement a distinct approach for women, tackle racism and discrimination, and involve people with lived experience. Read the principles and download the publication here

CLINKS EVENT: involving service users in governance

This service user involvement managers’ network event [14th November, London, £25, Clinks members only] will explore different ways to involve service users in governance. You will hear practical examples of how organisations go about involving people with lived experience in their governance arrangements, and the experiences of the people involved. We’ll also discuss the recent Charities Act legislation and what you need to do to recruit or retain people with convictions as trustees. Find out more here

CLINKS SURVEY: health and care

Clinks wants to hear your views on health and wellbeing for people in contact with the criminal justice system, the services available to them, and priorities for change. Our short survey includes questions about the work you do, the health and wellbeing of your beneficiaries, and how to improve health and care services. Many of the questions have come directly from policy teams at the Department of Health, NHS England and Public Health England. Clinks will use the information you give us to influence key health and justice policy makers. The survey will close on Friday 20th October. Click here to complete the survey

CLINKS BLOG: using technology to strengthen prisoner-family ties

This guest blog by Kieran Ball, Co-Founder of Prison Voicemail, looks at the findings of the Farmer Review and an example of how technology can be used in prison to strengthen family ties. It presents the results of an independent evaluation of their service. Describing the benefits of the service, one service user said, “Just keeping in contact with him, making sure he knows he’s loved and missed... if he can’t phone me at least I can tell him every day that I love him... it does make you feel happy. Even though they’re in prison they still need to know that they’re loved and wanted." Read the blog here

CLINKS PARTNER'S EVENT: rehabilitation and collaboration

The Academy for Social Justice is holding 'Improving rehabilitation through collaboration: involving service users in probation' [18th October, Leeds, free]. In this seminar you will hear from all those who have collaborated on the West Yorkshire Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) Service User Council including senior CRC staff, staff from User Voice and the Council members. Each will discuss their experiences and give their perspective of the benefits and challenges for both themselves and for commissioners. Find out more and book here

CLINKS PARTNER'S EVENT: justice and homelessness

Clinks is partnering with Crisis on a roundtable on justice and homelessness [26th October, London, free]. As part of Crisis’ 50th anniversary year, they are developing a plan to end homelessness in Britain. In order to do this, they are running a major consultation across Britain to gather the evidence and opinions of those who know homelessness and related issues best. The consultation will be underpinned by work Crisis is doing to gather the evidence base for change and establishing a new narrative for transformative policy change. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: prison budgets

The Prison Reform Trust has published its response to HM Treasury’s consultation on this year’s Budget, which highlights concerns about the viability of the Ministry of Justice’s prison building programme in light of the projected increase in prison numbers. Prison population projections, published last month, revealed that the population is expected to grow by around 1,600 above current levels by 2022. The response suggests immediate and practical steps which the government can take to deliver an incremental and sustained reduction in the prison population. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: the hero's journey

Spark Inside has published a summary of its recent interim evaluation report of its life coaching intervention, The Hero’s Journey, which uses life coaching in prison to build young people’s motivation to change, decrease in-prison violence and reduce reoffending. The interim report shows statistically significant increases across five outcome areas: wellbeing; decision-making and problem-solving skills; empathy and emotional intelligence; resilience and confidence, and improved social experience. The report indicates that The Hero’s Journey has a strong, positive and holistic impact on young people in prison. Read the summary and the full evaluation here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: young people leaving custody

Nacro and Centrepoint are seeking responses to a short survey about the housing challenges that young people face when they leave custody. They want to hear from young people on their experiences within the justice system, including the support they have received and how easily they were able to access housing after leaving the system. The survey closes on 3rd November. Take the survey here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: consultation on women

The London Assembly Police and Crime Committee is conducting an investigation to examine the provision of specialist support services for women with convictions across London. The committee is asking voluntary organisations with expertise in supporting women in the criminal justice system to provide feedback on the current opportunities, risks and challenges related to addressing women’s offending in the capital. The consultation also has a focus on the impact of women’s centres on offending and reoffending. The deadline for responses is Friday 20th October. If you would like to respond to the consultation, please contact PoliceandCrimeCommittee@london.gov.uk.

FUNDING: local projects

The Aviva Community Fund is now open for applications from local projects seeking funding to make a difference to their communities. Grants range from £1000 to £25,000. Over 500 projects across four different fund levels and four categories will be financed, giving awards to communities throughout the UK. Projects that receive enough votes from friends, family and supporters, will have a chance of receiving funding. The four categories are: health and wellbeing, skills for life, community support and inclusivity. The deadline for applications is 10th of October. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S OPPORTUNITY: building better opportunities

St Giles Trust is seeking a sub-contractor to work under its Building Better Opportunities Complex Needs contract for Central and South London. The sub-contractor will have experience of working with clients with multiple and complex needs and an intensive motivation and coaching programme for individuals who are not fulfilling their potential due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The programme should teach participants practical effective tools, techniques and coping strategies and enable participants to progress towards employment. The total value of the contract is £55,000 and the successful organisation should be able to run the programme for clients by the end of November 2017. For further information, please contact the Peer Circles Project Manager Samina Yaqub on 020 7697 4335.

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: understanding violence

'Understanding violence' is a six week course from Project 507 [5th October- 9th November, London, from £75] for people aiming to understand the cause of violence in different circumstances. It will look at why young people are violent, trauma in a prison context, working with gang associated young people, young women and violence, and violence in prison. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: music in prison

Changing Tunes is celebrating 30 years of bringing music into prisons by holding a concert [21st October, Bristol, from £5]. The event will bring together ex-prisoners and Changing Tunes musicians in a musical event full of popular covers and original songs. Lizzie Bond, CEO, says: "We are so proud to be celebrating this milestone and looking back at what we have achieved. It’s not just about ex-prisoners showcasing their work, it's about using music and storytelling to bridge the gap between the community and those who have been caught up in crime. We have so many brilliant supporters and we can’t wait to show the newcomers what we’re all about. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: supporting pregnant women

Birth Companions is holding 'New Insights' [2nd - 10th November, London, free], a morning event to explore new insights into the support of pregnant women and new mothers facing severe disadvantage. It will be chaired by Sheena Byrom and include speakers on: the support of survivors of childhood sexual abuse; why do human rights in childbirth matter?; providing antenatal education for the most vulnerable women; how fair is women’s access to mother and baby units in the prison system and international perspectives on the care of perinatal women affected by the criminal justice system. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: moving away from crime

The Community Chaplaincy Association is holding 'Moving Away From Crime - Handle With Care!' [10th November, London, free]. At this event you will hear the findings from a new report from the University of Cambridge, discuss its relevance to organisations you are part of or support, and see how we can all contribute to bringing more care into statutory and voluntary services. The event will be facilitated by Anne Fox, CEO of Clinks and will also include a keynote speaker and a panel discussion. Find out more here

NON MEMBERS' EVENTS AND TRAINING

  • Disorder Contained: A Theatrical Examination of Madness, Prison and Solitary Confinement | 9th and 10th October, London, from £4.50| Details

FEATURED VACANCY: Specialist Case Manager

Project 507 is recruiting a Specialist Case Manager for its Connecting Choices contract [£23,000-25,000 pro rata, Essex, part time]. The Specialist Case Manager will be working with 40 young adults being released from prison, aged 18-24 over the length of the contract, supporting them to get into education, employment or training. Project 507 is looking for someone with experience in case management, working to get young people into employment, education and training and local knowledge of Essex. The deadline for applications is 1st October. Find out more and apply here

CLINKS PARTNER'S VACANCY: Involvement Coordinator

The Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) coalition, made up of the national charities Clinks, Homeless Link and Mind, is seeking an Involvement Coordinator [£29,000, London, permanent]. They will work alongside the MEAM Local Networks Team to develop a strategy and embed co-production and involvement across the team’s activities and the wider MEAM coalition, and be a champion for this way of working across MEAM. The deadline for applications is 16th October. Find out more and apply here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: a Project Worker with Nacro [London], a Lead Engagement Worker (Female) with Brighton Oasis Project [Brighton], a Supported Accommodation Manager with The Magdalene Group [Norfolk], a National Secretary with Community Chaplaincy Association [London], a Trust Fundraising Volunteer Internship with Prisoners Abroad [London], a Female Senior Keyworker with The Nelson Trust [Swindon], and a Service Manager [HMP Lewes] and a Substance Misuse Nurse [HMP Send] with The Forward Trust. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Three nights in Snowdonia with a sauna session from £89. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Free baby and child first aid app. Details
  • Tip of the Week III: 45 lucky dip plants for £8. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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