Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 783 | 19 May 2023

Light Lunch

In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: Working with the House of Lords - A guide

In this blog, Franklin Barrington, Clinks Policy Officer, explores the meaningful role the House of Lords can play in your influencing strategy. When we begin the journey of influencing in Parliament, we often think about working with MPs to bring about change. But it is important to remember that the authority to make law in the UK has three parts: the Monarch, the House of Commons, and the House of Lords. Find out more about the composition of the House of Lords, its impact, and considerations when influencing peers by reading the blog here.

CLINKS NEWS: Nobody’s Listening - a guest blog

In this guest blog, Andy Keen-Downs, CEO of Pact, highlights the crucial role that family and carers play in supporting people in prison who are suffering from poor mental or physical health. Involving family and carers more proactively in prison healthcare would help to deliver safer prisons, reduce reoffending and save taxpayers’ money. Read the blog here.

CLINKS NEWS: Third Sector Advisory Group update

We welcome Joanne O’Connor from Junction 42 as a new prisons seat holder for the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) and thank all those who expressed interest in the role.

The next RR3 quarterly meeting will take place on [6 June, online]. We have a full agenda and will be joined by Alice Adamson, Deputy Director of Reducing Reoffending Interventions Operations at HM Prison and Probation Service, to discuss next steps in their rehabilitation strategy, and Paul Ruff, Deputy Director for Transitional Accommodation, to discuss the accommodation for prison leavers. We encourage members to reach out to RR3 secretariat, Bronte Jack, with your thoughts or any key questions on these policy issues, that you feel should be directed towards the Ministry of Justice. Email Bronte here. For a reminder on who holds a seat on the RR3 group read here.

CLINKS NEWS: How to advise the Ministry of Justice - RR3

In this blog, Bronte Jack, Clinks Policy Officer and Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) secretariat, explores the key functions of the RR3, what it seeks to achieve, its makeup and ways that you can get involved. The group is one of the key ways that we support our members to influence officials on prison and probation policy, by providing a forum for senior leaders from the voluntary sector to comment on the Ministry of Justice’s work. All Clinks members can engage with the work of the RR3 even if they do not sit on the group. The blog will explain how you can utilise the group to support your advocacy work. Read the blog here.

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: fixing the cycle!

People in prison are refurbishing hundreds of bicycles to donate to people from disadvantaged backgrounds as the government’s drive to steer people away from crime and into work goes up a gear. Thirteen prisons and young offender institutions have joined forces with the Margaret Carey Foundation to set up workshops across England, restoring bikes donated by the public, charities, recycling centres and Rotary Clubs.

At the newest workshop at HMP Wymott in Lancashire, people in prison, led by trained instructors, painstakingly repair bicycles, learning mechanical and manufacturing skills, teamwork and earning formal qualifications to help them find work on release. Follow this link to a video that follows the journey of a bike from a prison workshop to the hands of a young Afghan refugee.

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: From plot to plate

The Clink Charity has been running an innovative programme called "Plot to Plate" at HMP Send to engage extremely challenged women in custody to participate in rehabilitative activities they have hitherto avoided. The first cohorts have delivered great outcomes and the approach may be of interest to other charities to adapt for their own use. For more information contact yvonnethomas@theclinkrestaurant.com

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: be a part of HMPPS Insights23

HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) Insights23 is free to attend and showcases the breadth of innovative work across prison, probation, youth services, voluntary sector and wider justice services.

You too can feature within the programme, however you need to submit your application by [2 June, 17:00].

Insights23 is keen to showcase regional partnerships and projects, with particular interest in events that aim to:

• benefit frontline delivery
• share learning and innovative practice
• promote evidence-based approaches
• develop professional networks and staff skills
• provide unique insights into different parts of the wider justice system
• offer new or bespoke opportunities that are not readily available

Want to discuss your ideas? contact the Insights Engagement Team: insights@justice.gov.uk
Click here for inspiration or more information.

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Conversations on self-forgiveness

The Forgiveness Project's 'Conversations on self-forgiveness' will feature Samantha Lawler [25 May, 18:00 – 19:00, £8], who will be exploring the role of self-forgiveness in healing from life altering experiences. “Forgiveness is not about forgiving the act but forgiving the imperfections which are inherent in all of us” – Samantha Lawler. Read more and book your place here.

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: How to develop trauma informed policies

One Small Thing is providing trauma informed training. Participants will look at their organisational existing policies, consider what might be amended from a trauma-informed perspective, and think through the development of new trauma-informed policies [29 June, 9.30 – 13:00, online, £95 + VAT]. By the end of this workshop, you will have:

• a clearer understanding of what you already have in place
• what needs to be developed
• what is required to embed trauma informed policies across the organisation

No longer will your policies be stuck in a folder in a dusty drawer, they will become living, trauma informed, applied documents that move you closer to your goal of being a trauma informed organisation. Find out more and book here.

OPPORTUNITY: Call out for project participants

Attention charity trustees and CEOs! ELEVATE CJS, a leadership programme led by the Criminal Justice Alliance, is seeking forward-thinking boards to welcome individuals impacted by the criminal justice system to observe their board meetings. ELEVATE empowers 16 leaders who have been personally impacted by the system, highlighting board membership as another pathway to leadership. They are looking for up to eight boards to participate, where two-three ELEVATE participants will observe your board meetings. They also seek a dedicated board member to mentor the cohort from June to December 2023. If you are a CEO who believes your board could benefit from this unique perspective, or a trustee who is willing to be a board mentor, click here to find out more.

FEATURED VACANCY: Trustee         

New Bridge Foundation is seeking passionate individuals to join their Board of Trustees [voluntary, part time, London/remote]. Be part of their exciting journey as they double their beneficiaries by 2026, deepening their impact and expanding their reach. You will have excellent communication and teamwork abilities, strategic vision, creative thinking, and a solid understanding of legal duties and responsibilities of trusteeship. Expertise in charity and company law, HR/Operations management, financial management, or fundraising is highly desired. Knowledge or experience in the voluntary sector, particularly in criminal justice, HM Prison and Probation Service and statutory bodies, is advantageous. Make a meaningful difference by contributing to New Bridge Foundation's vision of ensuring every person in prison feels a vital connection to the outside world. Find out more and apply by 29 May here.

FEATURED VACANCY: Progression and Pathways Coordinator         

Synergy Theatre Project is looking for a dynamic and experienced Progressions and Pathways Coordinator [£30,000 FTE, part time, London]. An exciting new role created to seek out and broker work, training and development opportunities for young people at risk of offending who take part in Young Studio, their programme of creative engagement. Working with their Learning and Engagement Manager (Young People), you will manage a caseload of young people and develop bespoke plans to support their journey towards employment, training and further development. The successful candidate will be an excellent communicator with previous experience working in an advisory role and with young people facing complex and challenging needs. Find out more and apply by 5 June here.

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Family Liaison Worker with Social Interest Group [£21,087, HMP Altcourse, Liverpool, full time]; Youth Housing Support Worker (18.5hrs) with Nacro [£10,656, Boston, part time]; Family Service Manager with Social Interest Group [£36,000, HMP Altcourse, Liverpool, full time]; Women's Wellbeing Navigator with C2C Social Action [£23,816, Milton Keynes, part time]; Trustee with Good Vibrations [Remote with board meetings in London, part time]; Trustee with New Bridge Foundation [Voluntary, Board meetings in London, part time]; Housing Support Worker with Nacro [£22,740, Corby, Northampton or surrounding areas, full time]; Peripatetic Housing Support Worker with Nacro [£22740, East of England, full time]; SOS+ Embedded Mentor & Facilitator with St Giles Trust [£23,000 - £25,500, Schools across Avon and Somerset, full time]; Brewbird Assistant Manager with St Giles Trust [£23,279 - £23,279, Camberwell & Holloway Road, full time];

For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

About Clinks Light Lunch

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