Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 619 | 31st January 2020

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In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: share your views and have your voice heard

We are holding a roundtable on 12th February in London questioning: “How can we balance effectively supporting people in the criminal justice system while keeping staff and volunteers safe in the context of the current state of the system?” We want to hear from organisations working in prison and with people with experience of prison to understand more about the safety of staff, volunteers and those you support. We will use the learning to inform our work in the next year. Places are limited. Organisations wishing to send one person are asked to email anne.fox@clinks.org with an expression of interest and paragraph describing the work you do, where you work and who you work with by 5th February.

CLINKS RESPONSE: ageing prison population

Clinks has published its joint response with RECOOP to the Justice Select Committee’s enquiry into the ageing prison population. Older people are the fastest growing age group in the prison population. There are triple the number of people aged 60 and over in prison than there were 16 years ago, and one in six people in prison (16%) are aged 50 and over. Our response highlights the specific challenges that older people in prison face and gives recommendations for how the government can respond to ensure that the needs of this growing population are met. Find out more

CLINKS RESPONSE: children and young people in custody

We have published our joint response with EQUAL and Barrow Cadbury Trust to the Justice Select Committee’s inquiry on children and young people in custody. Our response specifically focuses on the experience and outcomes of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) children in the youth justice system. To inform our response we held a consultation event with 13 representatives of BAME-led organisations, community activists and people with lived experience of the criminal justice system. We submitted this response in October 2019, before the general election and dissolution of Parliament. The Committee is in the process of reforming after selecting a chair and will then determine its priorities going forward. Read the full response here

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: justice system is key partner

Arts Council England has published its strategy for 2020-30. Clinks and the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) are delighted that, following our recommendations, it identifies the criminal justice system as a key community partner for delivering its long term goals. Titled Let’s Create, the strategy determines Arts Council England’s role as a national development agency for arts and culture and sets out its approach to advocacy and investment over the next 10 years. The strategy is designed to achieve Arts Council England’s vision of a “country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish, and where every one of us has access to a remarkable range of high-quality cultural experiences.” Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: prison factfile

Prison Reform Trust has published its latest edition of the Bromley Briefing Prison Factfile. The briefings are an essential reference publication for anyone concerned about UK prisons. The report includes a focussed section on life sentences, where Professor Ben Crewe, Dr Susie Hulley and Dr Serena Wright, reveal that, contrary to the impression given in recent political debate and media coverage, England and Wales have become much tougher in their approach to punishing serious crime over the past few decades, exceeding comparable countries and historical precedent. They conclude that the growing numbers of people serving long sentences mean that prisons are likely to remain overcrowded for the foreseeable future, regardless of any changes in sentencing for less serious offending or improvements in reconviction rates. Download a copy of the report here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: artists of all levels and artforms

People in custody and the community can share their creativity work by taking part in The Koestler Awards 2020. Artists of all levels and artforms can apply, with the opportunity to receive a cash award, written feedback, certificates, mentoring, publication, exhibition and sale opportunities. Around three and a half thousand people enter yearly from prisons, secure hospitals and probation services to reap the benefits of having a wider audience for their work. Whether you're a skilful musician, recently started writing poetry, or are constantly inventing unique hairstyles or street art fonts, the Koestler Awards can give you a creative outlet and recognition for your work. Every entry is in with a chance of being selected for Koestler Arts’ annual UK exhibition at Southbank Centre or one of its local exhibitions. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: identity

Nacro has published Using an identity lens: Constructive working with children in the criminal justice system. Research has shown that identity, and how you feel about yourself, can be key to moving forward with life and away from crime. Working with the University of Salford, Youth Offending Teams and supported by the Barrow Cadbury Trust, this toolkit has been developed to promote a constructive, identity-focused approach to ultimately help divert children away from progressing further through the criminal justice system. Using the principles of the Nacro-led Beyond Youth Custody programme, this toolkit outlines how these can be applied to working with children before custody to support them towards positive outcomes and prevent further offending. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: housing guidance

Catch22 has written a blog about its work with Baker McKenzie legal firm to deliver workshops at HMP Thameside as part of its resettlement service. The focus is on informing prisoners of their rights so that they are more prepared for resettlement on release and will know more about the productive routes they can take when facing difficulties. This blog focusses on the housing issues people leaving prison often face and how knowing their rights and legal guidance can help. Read it here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: name change

In February, Addaction is changing its name and brand to We Are With You. This is the culmination of 18 months of research, listening, conversation and debate with the people who use or might use its services, alongside its staff and volunteers. The new name reflects the history and ethos of the charity, and the way it works with people as equal partners in their recovery. At a time when millions of people are experiencing issues with drugs, alcohol and mental health and often going without help, Addaction wants to make it as easy as possible for people to take the first step in getting support. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: substance misuse and mental ill health

Fulfilling Lives is conducting a campaign to spread awareness of the need to improve access to mental health services for people facing addiction. 90% of people on the Fulfilling Lives programme experience both substance misuse and mental ill health, but mental health services often require people to address their substance misuse before they can be supported. This leaves people stuck between services, using substances to self-medicate symptoms of poor mental health. Fulfilling Lives is a programme of 12 projects across England working to support people facing multiple disadvantage. The Making Every Adult Matter coalition, of which Clinks is a founding member, provides support to the programme. For more information on the campaign, supporting evidence and to sign a petition calling for change see here

FUNDING: vulnerable, isolated and disadvantaged people

​Kent Community Foundation (KCF) is part of a national network of 46 Community Foundations committed to improving the lives of local people and communities, particularly the most vulnerable, isolated and disadvantaged. It has grants available of an average size of £5,000 and is particularly interested in supporting small community groups in Kent. Find out more and apply before 29th February here

​FUNDING: reducing crime

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Cumbria provides a “Property Fund” offering local organisations and community groups grants up to the value of £2,500. These grants must link in with one or more of the objectives in the Police and Crime Plan and aim to reduce crime and disorder. Find out more and apply by 29th February here 

FUNDING: employment, education or accommodation

Grants of £2,000 and under are available from the Haberdashers’ Benevolent Foundation for UK Registered charities whose work meets one or more of its Focus Areas and whose work benefits those within specific geographic areas (see the website for details). Focus Areas include: organisations helping the unemployed, the homeless, ex-offenders and those at risk of offending to find jobs or improve their education or skills and to find more stable accommodation; and organisations helping excluded, disadvantaged or at risk young people to address their challenges. Find out more and apply before 2nd March here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Sussex forum

Making it Out CIO and Sussex Prisoners Families are holding a Criminal Justice Forum for Sussex [17th February, Brighton, free]. The forum is a regular meeting of representatives from organisations across Sussex that work within the criminal justice system or with people that have direct experience of it. The overarching aim is to create better communication channels between organisations, pool resources and share information. Through regular meetings they aim to create some time and space to share experiences and issues and explore how as a collective group there may be ways to mitigate against some of these. Book here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: mothers and fathers lullaby performance

The Irene Taylor Trust is partnering with Clean Break and Sounding Out to bring the Lullaby Project to mothers and fathers who have experience of the criminal justice system and they are offering the opportunity to hear them perform [3rd March, London, free]. Designed in the US, the Lullaby Project invites participants to work with professional musicians to write a personal lullaby for their children. The aim of the project is to strengthen the bond between parent and child through a creative arts activity. The project can also be a way for parents to explore and express their emotions in a safe, non-judgemental environment. If you would like to attend the performance, please RSVP by 27th February. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: changing the criminal justice conversation

How can we build persuasive stories about progressive criminal justice reform into our communications and messaging? At this seminar, [17th March, London, free] The Howard League for Penal Reform, Safer London and Changing Lives will explore this question, drawing on their experiences from spending six months working with Transform Justice to reframe how they communicate about crime and justice. They will explain what’s worked, what hasn’t and what’s next. Sign up here

FEATURED VACANCY: Director of Fundraising and Operations

Khulisa is looking for a Director of Fundraising and Operations [up to £55,000, London, full time] to join the senior management team, responsible for developing the charity’s financial and commercial strategy and professionalising operations after a period of significant growth and expansion. The Director will build on Khulisa’s strengths to build the charity’s resilience and enable it to deliver on its 2020-2023 strategic goals. Since 2017, Khulisa has almost doubled in size, and demand for its wellbeing programmes and professional trauma training has surged. Khulisa has a vibrant, wellbeing-led culture and the team is proud to be building the resilience and wellbeing of young people across the UK. Deadline for applications is 6th February 2020. Find out more and apply here

FEATURED VACANCY: Harm Reduction Manager

RECOOP, part of the BCHA group, is looking for a Harm Reduction Manager [£22,269 to £23,848, full time, Newton Abbot] to work in the three Devon prisons. Funding has been secured to setup, implement and co-ordinate the training, supervision and management of the ‘THREADS’ harm reduction mind mapping programme across the three prisons. The post holder will train prisoners and staff to support those vulnerable and at risk, to help reduce incidents of self-harm and violence. This post is funded initially for two years with opportunities extend it into the future. This is a new project which has the potential to be rolled out across the country if successful. Find out more and apply before 18th February here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: Regional Manager - North East England with User Voice [North East], Senior Fundraising Officer with St. Giles Trust [London], GROW Engagement Traineeship with Shelter [Preston], Regional HR Advisor - South East with Weston College [Kent, Surrey & Sussex], Community Outreach Worker with Sussex Prisoners’ Families [Sussex], Project Worker with Humankind [Middlesbrough], Team Administrator with Revolving Doors Agency [London], Group Work Facilitator with Basis Yorkshire [Leeds], Learning Disabilities Support Worker with Imagine Independence [Liverpool], Referral Officer with Nacro [Leeds]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip I: Lanzarote: deluxe all-inclusive week with flights. £295 per person. Details
  • Tip II: Emma mattress in 5 sizes. Up to 47% off. Details
  • Tip III: 71 piece biscuit bar box. £14.99. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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