Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 627 | 27th March 2020

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In this week's edition...

    CLINKS SURVEY: how is Covid-19 affecting you?

    We have developed a short survey so you can tell us about the current impact Covid-19 is having on your organisation. Clinks and the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) are working closely with the Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service to make sure your concerns and challenges are heard and your knowledge and expertise can contribute to the development of solutions. The survey takes just 5-10 minutes to complete and we will be feeding the information directly into the Ministry of Justice and using it to inform our policy influencing work. The survey is for voluntary organisations working in criminal justice only. The deadline for responses is Tuesday 31st March. Take the survey here

    CLINKS NEWS: Lucy Frazer's letter to Clinks

    Lucy Frazer, Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice has written to Clinks CEO Anne Fox on responding to Covid-19 and the voluntary sector. We're working closely with the Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service to make sure the voluntary sector's concerns are heard and your knowledge and expertise is able to contribute to the development of solutions. Lucy Frazer writes, "I wanted to say a huge thank you to Clinks staff and the charities working in criminal justice for their immediate and constructive response to the exceptional circumstances in which we find ourselves." Read the letter here

    CLINKS NEWS: Covid-19 web page

    We have set up a dedicated Covid-19 web page to collate useful information and updates for people working in the criminal justice system and helpful resources for voluntary organisations. This situation is evolving quickly, so we'll keep this page updated as often as we can. Clinks and the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) are working closely with Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service to make sure your concerns are heard and your knowledge and expertise is able to contribute to the development of solutions. This is an unsettling time for everyone and we know there is a lot of fast-changing information which can be overwhelming and difficult to navigate. The page includes FAQs but if you have a specific question you can still email our dedicated mailbox covid19@clinks.org. See the page here

    CLINKS BLOG: prison visits temporarily suspended – update from HMPPS

    This blog from Anne Fox gives an update from Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) following the announcement on 24th March that all prison visits in England and Wales have been temporarily suspended. We are pleased to see this announcement, as organisations had been raising increasing concerns that they were struggling to continue to provide support while adopting government advice on social distancing. However, it is important to understand what this means for prisoners and their families and what measures are in place to help people keep well and maintain vital contact with their family and significant others. We have been working with HMPPS to get further information and guidance to share with you, which is outlined in this blog. Read it here

    CLINKS BLOG: RR3 special interest group on Covid-19

    The Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) brought together leading experts from across the voluntary sector this week as part of its Covid-19 special interest group (SIG), to discuss what is needed from the government to support voluntary organisations and protect service users in the face of this unprecedented crisis. This blog highlights some of the key recommendations raised during the meeting, including assurances of flexible contract management under public sector contracts, suspension of short custodial sentences, and an accommodation guarantee for people leaving prison. The RR3 is an advisory group to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), coordinated and chaired by Clinks. The Covid-19 SIG meets once a week, and submits recommendations to senior officials. Read the blog here

    NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: emergency funding from Arts Council England

    Arts Council England is making £160 million of emergency funding available for organisations and individuals who will need it during the Covid-19 crisis. This includes £20m for individuals (made up of grants of up to £2,500 each), £90m for National Portfolio Organisations and £50m for organisations outside of the National Portfolio. All potential applicants will need to be registered on Grantium by Friday 3rd April. The emergency funding has come from reallocation of Arts Council England's National Lottery Project Grants, Developing Your Creative Practice, and Development Funds for the 2020-21 period, and uses up almost all of its reserves. Arts Council England has also changed funding requirements for individuals and organisations currently in receipt of regular funding. Find out more about its Covid-19 support here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: women flip the script

    On Mother's Day, Pact launched a podcast to support mothers with experience of the criminal justice system. Women Flip the Script is a five-part series that offers a unique insight into women’s experiences after prison. Co-created with mothers who have been affected by imprisonment, and Women in Prison and Advance, each episode provides a realistic and honest attempt to deal with a specific challenge faced by mothers as they return home to their families and communities - including mental health, housing and finance. Find out more and listen here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: distraction packs for prisons

    RECOOP’s Distraction Packs offer a cost-effective solution to an immediate problem by providing people with stimulating activity, interesting and educational reading to help maintain healthy minds. As the situation with Covid-19 is fluid and fast moving, RECOOP recognises prisons will be looking for alternative ways to offer mental stimulation for their population during periods of lock-down. Further information can be found here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: partners for activity hubs

    Maximus UK Services Ltd intends to bid for the forthcoming HMPPS Activity Hubs competition which is due to be launched on 30th March 2020. It would welcome expressions of interest from partners with experience of delivering interventions to people in contact with the criminal justice system that have multiple or complex needs. HMPPS aims to commission Activity Hubs that offer tailored support for people in contact with the criminal justice system – particularly those who face multiple barriers to employment. Maximus intend to develop a network of delivery providers in the North West, West Midlands and London. If you are interested in partnering with Maximus on this opportunity, please complete the expression of interest form no later than 3rd April here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: research fellowships

    The Griffins Society’s Research Fellowships programme is open for applications from criminal justice practitioners. For 2020-21 the society is focusing on research into women in prison and the treatment of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) women in particular. Two research fellowships are on offer: one is in partnership with the Prison Reform Trust and can be on any aspect of the treatment of women in prison, with proposals relating to the experiences of the female BAME population particularly welcomed. The other is offered in conjunction with the Barrow Cadbury Trust, seeking proposals aiming to explore a part of the criminal justice system in relation to its impact on BAME women. The society encourages applications from BAME practitioners. Applications must be made before 29th May. For more information e-mail chris.leeson@thegriffinssociety.org

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: support for prison-leavers during Covid-19

    Switchback, abandofbrothers, Spark Inside, StandOut and The Zahid Mubarak Trust are calling for urgent action to ensure that the Covid-19 crisis does not further increase ill-health, homelessness, reoffending and risk of infection among the 5,000+ people released monthly into our communities. They believe prison-leavers must be recognised as a vulnerable group at risk of severe illness from coronavirus due to high incidence of underlying health conditions, homelessness and poor access to services. Read their briefing here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: deadline extended

    Koestler Arts is extending its Koestler Awards deadline. The new deadline will be announced when its team is allowed back in the office. For now, Koestler Arts is asking all entrants from prisons and other secure settings to prepare their artwork as usual and rest assured that the work will be accepted under a new, reasonable deadline. Any post already sent will be held safely until then - there will just be a delay in its response. Koestler Arts is still working, and can answer emails as usual. The team would like to thank those who share their artwork, or support people in doing so, in these difficult times. Stay up to date here

    FUNDING: extra support during Covid-19 outbreak

    Clinks’ funding portal provider GRANTfinder (which Clinks members have free access to) is closely monitoring all the relevant news about Covid-19 and the consequences for the funding landscape. Its dedicated page can keep you updated on which funds and extra support have been announced to counteract the impact of the outbreak. See them here

    FUNDING: community safety in North Yorkshire and York

    The North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s Community Fund is for local organisations, groups or individuals in North Yorkshire and the City of York who need money to help fund a new community safety project or scheme. Funds from £500 up to £20,000 can be awarded for specific projects. Activities may include diversionary activities for children and young people; promoting safety and reducing the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour; and preventing crime and anti-social behaviour. The deadline for applications is 23rd April. Find out more here

    FUNDING: vulnerable individuals

    The A B Charitable Trust supports charities that defend human rights and promote respect for vulnerable individuals whatever their circumstances. They are particularly interested in charities that work with marginalised and excluded people in society, with a focus on: migrants, refugees and asylum seekers; criminal justice and penal reform; human rights, particularly access to justice. The deadline for applications is 26th April. Find out more here

    FUNDING: rehabilitation development grants

    The Triangle Trust is currently inviting applications for Development Grants from not for profit organisations working solely to support the rehabilitation of people who are or have been in contact with the criminal justice system. Its grants provide funds towards the core costs of organisations who have a strategic commitment to increasing their resilience. Grants are available from £10,000 up to £80,000 for a duration of six months to three years. Previously unsuccessful applicants must wait two years before re-applying. The closing date for submissions is noon on 4th May 2020. Full details here

    RESOURCE: connecting volunteers and charities

    Volunteering Matters, in partnership with NCVO, Acevo and others, have launched an initiative to connect voluntary organisations to the right people, skills and resources to support their response to Covid-19. They have issued a call to businesses who want to support charities through volunteering their skills, services and logistical support. They can help connect your organisation with the businesses who have come forward to provide support with their skills and expertise. So far skills and support offered from businesses include: business planning; project management; IT expertise; logistics, such as vehicle supply; press and media support; and legal advice. If your organisation urgently needs support to help respond to COVID-19, you can fill in this short form outlining what you need here

    CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

    Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advocate) with Changing Lives [Newcastle Upon Tyne], Relief Extra Care Worker with Imagine Independence [Carlisle], Youth Project - 1:1 Support Worker with NEPACS [Durham], Musician-in-Residence at Vinney Green Secure Children's Home (1 day per week) with Changing Tunes [Bristol], Resettlement Caseworker with St. Giles Trust [HMP Parc], Team Manager with Career Connect [Liverpool], Senior Administrator - County Durham with Humankind [Bowburn]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

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    EXTRA INFORMATION

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