Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 693 | 23rd July 2021

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS BLOG: changes to prisons on the horizon 

This week Robert Buckland QC MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, delivered a speech to the Centre for Social Justice in which he announced a Prisons White Paper. This blog, from Senior Policy Officer Will Downs, considers what might be included in the paper and why the voluntary sector should have a meaningful say in its contents. A White Paper is a policy document produced by the government that sets out proposals for future policy changes and legislation. We reiterate our invitation to the Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service to engage with Clinks to establish full and proper mechanisms for a much wider consultation to inform the development of this work. Read more here

CLINKS NEWS: Women’s Health Strategy

We have published our response to the Department for Health and Social Care’s call for evidence to inform the development of the government’s Women’s Health Strategy. Our response focuses on the health and care needs and experiences of women in contact with the criminal justice system, and the role of the voluntary sector in addressing these needs. In it we draw on evidence collected from our extensive research and ongoing engagement with the voluntary sector working in the criminal justice system, including organisations that deliver health and care services to women. Read our response here

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: meet the new NCJAA Manager

We’re thrilled to announce that Janette Kilner has joined the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) as the new NCJAA Manager to lead the team into the future. Janette has a background in Applied Drama and Theatre and is passionate about the transformational power of arts in the criminal justice system, bringing her own experiences, sense of compassion and drive to her work. Janette says, “I’m looking forward to working with the team to continue to support the network of fantastic arts in criminal justice practitioners who dedicate their time to transforming people’s lives.” As we welcome Janette into the role, the NCJAA will also be transitioning to a new governance model so we can continue to support, promote and represent the sector. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: changing futures

The government has announced the 15 local areas which will form part of its Changing Futures programme, a £64m cross-government initiative which aims to test a more joined-up, person-centred approach for people facing a combination of issues including homelessness, substance misuse, poor mental health, domestic violence and contact with the criminal justice system. The selected areas will receive funding over three years to improve support for this group. The new programme is informed by, and will sit alongside, the existing Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) Approach and Fulfilling Lives networks. Clinks is a founding member of the MEAM coalition and will continue to work with local areas and coalition partners Homeless Link, Mind and Collective Voice as the Changing Futures programme takes shape. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: new prison radio programme

Liberty Choir will soon be launching its latest collaboration with Prison Radio Association thanks to funding from Arts Council England. The radio programme, “48 Songs: How Music Saved My Life” will share the transformative power of music through interviews with former prisoners and key supporters of the Liberty Choir programmes. Following on from the success of “The Six Building Blocks of Modern Music”, this weekly programme will explore the emotional impact of music on people in prison and inspire listeners to explore their own feelings and responses to music. The programme will begin in September alongside, Liberty Choir’s in-person choir programmes, subject to Covid-19 restrictions, helping to meet the long-term ambition of making Liberty Choir accessible to every prisoner in the UK. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: making the criminal justice system fairer

Nominations are now open for the Criminal Justice Alliance’s annual CJA Awards. The CJA Awards celebrate the outstanding individuals and organisations helping to make the criminal justice system fairer and more effective, supported by the Barrow Cadbury Trust. The Criminal Justice Alliance also holds annual Media Awards, which celebrate the journalists, documentary makers and digital media champions shining a spotlight on criminal justice, challenging misperceptions and improving public understanding. This year there are two new award categories to carry on the legacy of Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones, who were tragically killed in the attack at Fishmongers’ Hall in November 2019. The deadline for nominations is 27th September. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: diverting young adults

Revolving Doors Agency has published an evidence review on diverting young adults away from the cycle of crisis and crime. The review brings together the latest evidence and emerging good practice shown to divert young adults away from the criminal justice system. The evidence serves to highlight the need for investment in police-assisted diversion services to meet the ever-rising demand on policing and courts. Read it here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: five years since HMP Holloway closed

Five years ago, HMP Holloway in North London shut its gates for the last time. In this blog, Working Chance looks at what has happened to the former prison that saw so many women pass through its gates and shares hopes for a woman-focused future of the site. Since its closure, campaigners and organisations such as Reclaim Holloway and Community Plan For Holloway have worked tirelessly to make sure that the former site of HMP Holloway is turned into a space that benefits the local community and subverts the prison's dark history by creating a positive space for women who need support to avoid becoming caught up in the criminal justice system. Read the blog here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: new strategy

Khulisa has launched its new three-year strategy: Closing the Trauma Gap: Skills and Relationships Built to Last as a short film and two-page document. Khulisa consulted with a broad range of service users and stakeholders over the last year to generate its new plan, and is delighted to have the strategy animation voiced by a previous participant in its Face It programme, Joely. The strategy aims to support vulnerable young people to overcome emotional trauma and to thrive by providing intensive therapeutic support, and influencing systemic change; the need for this kind of support in the wake of the pandemic is needed now more than ever. You can watch the film here and read the document here 

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: violence and abuse towards emergency workers

Transform Justice is researching ways to respond to violence and abuse towards emergency workers by people who have poor mental health or cognitive impairments and/or are neurodivergent. If you are an NHS worker, police officer, or lawyer with experience of these incidents, you can take a 10-minute survey and help Transform Justice find more effective ways to respond. The survey closes on 1st August. Take the survey here

FUNDING: suffering, hardship or poverty

Grants of up to £1,000 are available from Leeds Building Society for UK registered charities undertaking projects to support those who are disadvantaged. The grants aim to support community-based projects that relieve suffering, hardship or poverty. The grants usually fund items of capital expenditure which will directly help those in need. Find out more and apply by 2nd August here

FUNDING: Hertfordshire

Grants of up to £5,000 are available from the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner's Action Fund to local voluntary and community groups, charitable and not-for-profit organisations, and parish, town and district councils developing innovative projects to increase community safety in Hertfordshire. The Commissioner particularly welcomes innovative projects proposed through local collaborations and partnerships and which can make a lasting difference to communities in terms of safety. Applications which involve young people, particularly in the design or the delivery of a project, are also encouraged. Find out more and apply by 3rd August here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: trauma-informed awareness

One Small Thing’s ‘Becoming Trauma Informed Awareness Training’ [July – November, online, from £114 + VAT] is designed to support staff to develop an understanding of the dynamics and process of trauma, inform practice and support system change. The aim of the one-day course is to help participants understand the pervasiveness of violence and the impact it has upon people, to know the definitions of trauma, to understand how knowledge about trauma can make your work easier and safer and to learn about self-care for you and those you work with. Find out more and register here

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENTS AND TRAINING

  • Grant Fundraising for Small Charities Masterclass | From £150 | online | Details

OPPORTUNITY: give feedback on redevelopment of HMP Holloway

Peabody Housing Association has released its final masterplan for the Holloway prison site and is inviting feedback until 30th July. This is the final consultation on the redevelopment of the Holloway prison site before Peabody submit the plans to Islington Council for approval. You can leave feedback here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Young People’s Service Manager with The Magdalene Group [Norwich], Personal Navigator with Derventio Housing Trust CIC [Eastwood], Senior Support Worker with Changing Lives [Chester-le-Street], Senior Support Worker with Nacro [South West], Care Experienced Resettlement Coach with NEPACS [HMPYOI Deerbolt], Restorative Justice Development Officer with Why me? [London], Young Women’s Programme Manager with ADVANCE [East London], Intensive Support Transition Resettlement Manager with Browns Community Services CIC [Windsor or Maidenhead], Female Enhancement Worker with Anawim [Birmingham]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Handheld fan. 76% off. Details
  • Two-course meal at Italian restaurant. 51% off. Details
  • Lightweight hedge trimmer. 53% off. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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