Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 646 | 7th August 2020

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS RESPONSE: the impact of Covid-19 on the voluntary sector

We have published our response to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee’s inquiry on the impact of Covid-19 on DCMS sectors, focussing on the impact on the voluntary sector working in criminal justice. The response highlights the ways in which the sector has adapted to Covid-19 restrictions and the challenges it has been facing delivering support to people in contact with the criminal justice system. The response particularly focuses on the financial impact of Covid-19 on the voluntary sector, the challenges it has experienced accessing financial support and emergency funding and concerns about long-term sustainability. Read it here

CLINKS NEWS: Tiegan Mercer joins the team

Tiegan Mercer has joined Clinks as our London Development Officer. Her role aims to further develop the criminal justice network in London; support the voluntary sector in keeping up to date with emerging criminal justice system policy; engage with commissioners and key stakeholders; and support the voluntary sector’s work in reducing crime and promoting community safety. Prior to joining the team at Clinks, Tiegan was part of the 2018 cohort on the Unlocked Graduates Scheme, where she worked as a prison officer in the long-term and high-security estate alongside studying an MSc in Leadership and Custodial Environments, as well as contributing to a policy paper on the underutilisation of purposeful activity in prisons. Meet the team here

CLINKS BLOG: what does recovery look like?

In this blog, Russell Webster summarises the key contents of a report produced by the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group's (RR3) special interest group on Covid-19 presenting the voluntary sector’s views on the recovery of voluntary sector services in the criminal justice system after the pandemic. The report is based on the views of the group’s members and those of organisations in their networks, as well as information gathered from Clinks’ engagement with over 850 people through 85 online events in the past few months. The RR3 is a formal voluntary sector advisory group to the Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service, consisting of 16 senior voluntary sector leaders Read the blog here

CLINKS BLOG: RR3 update

In this blog, Anne Fox, Chief Executive Officer at Clinks and chair of the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3), gives an update on the group’s work, advocacy in the context of Covid-19 and the recovery process, and work to influence probation reforms. We’ve published the latest notes from meetings of the group, which in March and July were attended by Lucy Frazer QC MP, Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice. We are also delighted to announce the appointment of Laura Seebohm to the large organisation specialist RR3 seat. Read the blog here

CLINKS BLOG: video calling in prisons

In a guest blog for Clinks, Lucy Frazer QC MP, Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice, gives an update on the rollout of video calling in prisons, what’s involved in setting establishments up with this technology, and what prisoners and their friends and family can expect. Secure family video calls are now available at 64 prisons and young offender institutes across England and Wales. She writes, “Whilst this current video call service is a temporary measure … we are considering a longer-term solution for video calls in line with Lord Farmer’s recommendations, focussing on those who do not receive face-to-face visits under normal circumstances.” Read the blog here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: lockdown voices

User Voice has published a report, The user voice of lockdown, which is based on interviews with 2,206 people - including 747 people in 14 prisons and 1,459 people on probation in 13 areas. The report carries the voices of people inside the system directly to readers and is the first in a series. It finds that 83% of people feel more isolated; 87% of people feel more frustrated; 80% of people feel more stressed; and 63% of people feel more worried. The report argues that conditions akin to solitary confinement are not sustainable as a long-term solution to the crisis and are adversely impacting the mental health of people in prison. Read the report in full here (please note this is a temporary hyperlink)

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: resettlement packs

RECOOP’s Resettlement Packs have been developed further to alleviate some of the concerns facing people leaving prison and moving on from Approved Premises, to help with orientation and to signpost to services that can offer support. In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, RECOOP recognises that preparing people for release from prison or to move on from an Approved Premises has never been more important. Read more and download a leaflet here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: lockdown resources

With lockdown easing but the pandemic still present, Khulisa has developed a range of offers of support during the summer holidays – for young people, professionals and parents/carers. Alongside supportive webinars and toolkits for young people, Khulisa has produced two online toolkits for parents/carers and professionals. The first is on helping children express emotions and the second focuses on managing isolation in lockdown. For organisations interested in supporting the wellbeing of their professionals, Khulisa offers a webinar series – the first focuses on building personal resilience. For further information on this and other webinars in the series, email: lisa@khulisa.co.uk. Find all resources here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: reducing women’s imprisonment project

The Transforming Lives advocacy programme, led by Jenny Earle at the Prison Reform Trust to champion the interests of women in the criminal justice system, is drawing to a close in the Autumn when its National Lottery five year grant funding ends. Jenny will be leaving Prison Reform Trust at the end of October and Katy Swaine Williams, who has been the senior programme manager, will be leaving at the end of November. To help ensure a continued focus on the implementation of the many and significant policy commitments that the programme has played a part in securing, Emily Evison will be staying in the policy team with special responsibility for women. The organisation will be liaising with its many partners across the UK over the next three months to explain what the changes will mean for work together in this area. Find out more about the programme here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: prison restaurant’s home delivery service

The Clink charity training restaurant has launched Clink@home, a home delivery service operating from HMP Brixton. Customers within a five-mile radius of the prison can order a range of dishes via an online service. The Clink charity operates restaurants in four prisons across England and Wales but is unable to open to the public due to restrictions across the prison network. This new service ensures The Clink is able to continue its training programme, where students are training to gain a qualification in a working environment getting them work-ready for when they are released in order to gain fulltime employment. Order here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: local lockdowns and prison visits

Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service has informed Clinks that prison visits are currently suspended in areas where local restrictions are in place and for visitors travelling from those areas. This affects HMPs Manchester, Forest Bank, Hindley, Buckley Hall, New Hall, Leicester and Barton Moss Secure Children’s Home. Voluntary organisations with questions or concerns should first try to contact local contacts or contract managers, and those struggling to get answers can contact covid19@clinks.org.

FUNDING: last chance to apply for Coronavirus Community Support Fund

The National Lottery Community Fund has provided an update on the Coronavirus Community Support Fund in England, which launched on 22nd May. To date, there have been over 10,000 applications. Of the £200m allocated by the government, funding of almost £55 million has been awarded to over 2,300 organisations in England. Activities are funded which support people and communities affected by Covid-19. Applications are still being assessed and accepted but the deadline to apply has now been set as noon on 17th August. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: Covid-19 recovery

Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales is holding a Q&A webinar with the grants team [11th August | online | free] to discuss its newly launched Covid-19 Recovery Fund grant programme. The fund will offer around 140 charities a two-year unrestricted grant of £50,000 alongside a development partner to help charities navigate a tumultuous future. To be eligible for funding, organisations must be small and medium-sized charities with an income of between £25,000 and £1 million a year that are helping people overcome complex social issues such as mental health, homelessness and domestic abuse. Register here

FUNDING: hardship grants

The COSARAF Foundation's Hardship Grants provide small grants to individuals facing significant hardship. The foundation only accepts applications from recognised social organisations such as charities, housing associations, schools and social services acting on behalf of a family or individual in need. Grants of up to £2,000 are available for eligible individuals and families. Most grants are between £500-£1,000. If any organisations need support for clients, especially those struggling as a result of Covid-19, submit an application online. Applications are assessed every six weeks. Apply here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: beyond crime, cost and punishment

Join Transform Justice for an online event 'Beyond crime, cost and punishment: changing the criminal justice conversation' [15th October | online | free] to hear how five organisations are using reframing to tell persuasive stories about progressive justice reform. Covid-19 has shifted political and public opinions on several topics. Meanwhile, crime and justice policy remains firmly penal. How can the voluntary sector tell a better story about how we should deal with crime? Sign up here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: problem gambling

GamCare provides free training (currently virtual) to professionals working across different sectors, including those working in the criminal justice system with men, women and young people. Cross-sector training, for example for the female prison estate or in Young Offender Institutions, is available too. The training will increase professionals’ understanding of problem gambling and gambling-related harms. It will upskill professionals to identify, support and refer individuals affected by gambling-related harms into support and treatment services. The youth programme also delivers sessions directly to young people. If you are interested in arranging training for your team, contact info@gamcare.org.uk. For more information on all areas of GamCare’s work, visit here

FEATURED VACANCY: Director

The Prison Phoenix Trust is seeking applicants for a Director [Full time | £40,000-£45,000 | Oxford]. In conjunction with Trustees and staff, the Director upholds the Trust’s mission and helps in the formation of the Trust’s policy in its work with prisoners as well as the implementation of that policy and the management of the Trust’s paid staff and volunteers. Candidates should have a mature experience of meditation and (ideally) yoga, excellent people management skills, good communication skills, grant writing ability and relevant IT abilities. The Trust seeks diversity and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. Find out more and apply before 20th August here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: Support Worker with Nacro [London], Pause Practitioner with The Nelson Trust [Somerset], Housing Management Worker with Changing Lives [York], Volunteer Mentor with Merseyside Offender Mentoring [Liverpool], Recovery Support Workers with EDP Drug & Alcohol Services [HMP Portland], Prison Services Coordinator with Birth Companions [HMP Peterborough & HMP Foston Hall], Head of Programmes with Spark Inside [London], Director with Prison Phoenix Trust [Oxford]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip I: Five or Ten Pairs of Women's Dog Socks. 73% off. Details
  • Tip II: Rattan Hanging Egg Chair. 56% off Details
  • Tip III: UK breaks under £100 – various locations. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

About Clinks Light Lunch

This edition of Light Lunch has been sent to the inbox of 13,552 people working (or with an interest) in the criminal justice system of England and Wales.

Click here to manage your subscriptions. For assistance, email info@clinks.org

Clinks logo

Get involved Become a Member | Follow Clinks on Twitter | Terms and conditions

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

© Clinks, 2020