Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 788 | 23 June 2023

Light Lunch Clinks

In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: older people network launch

This event will launch Clinks' Older People in the Criminal Justice System (OPIC) network [27 June, 14:00 - 16:00, online, free]. The network is designed to bring together voluntary and statutory organisations and practitioners, as well as academics, who provide services for and/or advocate for older people (people over 50) in the criminal justice system (CJS). This event is for anyone who has an interest in older people in the CJS and being part of the network. We really encourage as wide a group as possible to come along and get involved with exciting work to improve the CJS for older people. Register here for your place

CLINKS NEWS: Criminal Justice Forum in London

The next London Criminal Justice Forum takes place on Thursday 29 June [13:00 – 14:30, online, free]. It is an excellent opportunity for voluntary sector organisations in London to network and receive updates from stakeholders and commissioners such as London Probation, the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and Metropolitan Police (MPS). We will also be joined by Michelle Lendrum, Voluntary Sector Coordinator at HMP Isis, who will discuss how voluntary sector organisations can work in the prison and the Good Prison Project. To book your free place, click here

CLINKS NEWS: Go in young, come out old, a Clinks guest blog

In this guest blog, Simon Scott, Post Graduate Researcher at Nottingham Trent University, looks at the challenges facing those who have aged considerably in prison.

We all face challenges as we grow older, from maintaining skills in a changing workplace to preserving our mental and physical wellbeing as our bodies stop performing as they once did. A whole raft of additional issues face those who have spent decades incarcerated, entering prison in their (relative) youth, and emerging only after they have passed an invisible line that marks them forever as old. Read the blog here

MEMBER FOCUS: Untold creative training

Untold is bringing together a crew of brilliant people from across the creative industries, the justice and education systems to work with young men in prison to uncover their existing skills and develop new ones. With industry-leading experts, they are building a creative industries curriculum that provides relevant and engaging training for young men in prison giving them the experience and qualifications needed by employers. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Imprisoned for 50p, a Transform Justice podcast

Are anti-social behaviour rules out of order? Should asking for 50p or feeding pigeons land you in prison? In this episode Transform Justice discusses anti-social behaviour injunctions, and the harsh outcomes that can occur when they are breached.

Hosts Rob and Penelope are joined by Dr Rona Epstein, researcher at Coventry Law School, and James Stark, barrister. They share cases which resulted in disproportionately severe punishment, and question current approaches to anti-social behaviour. Listen here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: social workers to support mothers in custody

All women’s prisons should have social workers dedicated to supporting mothers in custody to stay in touch with their children, where it is in the child’s best interests, according to Pact (the Prison Advice and Care Trust).

The call coincides with the publication on Thursday of new evaluation by Cardiff University that shows how a pilot employing social workers in two prisons has helped to keep mothers in touch with their children and has supported in managing incidents of self-harm.

The Together a Chance pilot project, run by Pact and funded by the Sylvia Adams Trust, employs two prison-based social workers to support mothers in HMPs Send and Eastwood Park. Read the full article here

FUNDING: Innovation Grants programme

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is holding a virtual market engagement event [4 July, 13:00, online, free] for the HMPPS Innovation Grants programme which supports initiatives aimed at improving the lives of people in our care through effective rehabilitation and reducing re-offending. This scheme is designed to fund new methodologies, test ideas and establish good practice with the potential to be replicated and implemented across the estate, in custody and/or in the community. The expected duration of the grant is from October 2023 until April 2025 and the total funding available for the period is £2,000,000. Organisations must register for the event via the Jaggaer e-sourcing portal. Once logged in, search PQQ_359 – “HMPPS Innovation Grant Programme 2023 - 2025 - Market Engagement”. Find out more here

FUNDING: Departure Lounge services

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is holding a virtual market engagement event [10 July, 9.30, online, free] for grant funding to provide and/or enable the provision of Departure Lounge services across up to four North East prison establishments. Departure Lounges provide a central point for a prison leaver to access resettlement support on day of release from prison to meet their resettlement needs and set them up for transition to the community. The expected duration of the grant is November 2023 until April 2025 and the total funding available for the period is £350,000. Organisations must register for the event via the Jaggaer e-sourcing portal. Once logged in, search for PQQ_362 – “Departure Lounges – 2023 – 2025 - Market Engagement”. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: how to end the cycle of crisis and crime

Join Revolving Doors for “Diversion and Prevention: how to end the cycle of crisis and crime” [27 June, 11:00 – 15:00, free]. Led by lived experience, this event brings together policymakers, frontline organisations and people who have been through the criminal justice system. This is a chance to join the conversation in developing innovative solutions and see coproduction in a change. RIFT particularly welcomes organisations who work with those stuck in the cycle of crisis and crime, i.e people who have had repeat contact with the criminal justice system and experienced multiple unmet health and social needs such as homelessness, problems with drugs or alcohol, or poverty, to come along with any of the people with lived experience they work with. Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Employability day celebration

Join the team at RIFT Social Enterprise as they celebrate Employability Day 2023 by discussing all things self-employment [30 June, 14:00 – 15:00, online]. RIFT will be hosting a whistlestop workshop on self-employment, including a live Q&A session to answer all of your burning questions. We will also be joined by a panel of former and current participants to share their small business success stories. Register here  

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: plants, prisons and potential

Join the Prisoners' Education Trust (PLA) and artist Faye Claridge for ‘Plants, Prisons and Potential’ a conversation about gardening for wellbeing in prisons [18 July, 17:00-18:00, online, free].

In 2021, Faye took Royal Horticultural Society archive material into HMP Send. The collection documents how POWs set up a horticultural society in Ruhleben internment camp in Germany during WW1. Letters and photographs show the impact gardening had on their mental health. Faye’s project – Plants, Prisons and Potential – draws on these materials to encourage women in prison to consider the role of gardening in their own wellbeing.

Webinar participants will learn more about the programme, how teachers can harness the benefits of the arts and horticulture in prisons and how it inspired at HMP Hewell. Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Frontline Network annual conference

Do you work on the frontline supporting people experiencing homelessness? The Frontline Network is inviting staff from across the UK to its annual conference [29 June, 10:00 – 16:20, online, free]. There are nine sessions to choose from across the day.

The event promises a packed schedule, focusing on "Working Together". You can dip into a range of sessions planned across the day – from workshops sharing information, resources and best practice around specific aspects of homelessness, to sessions focusing on frontline resilience and practical tips to support staff wellbeing. Find out more and register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: Society Matters training

The following training, by Society Matters, is available in July.

NON-MEMBER’S EVENT: the future of primary care

National Voices are holding an online national conference [28 June, 10:00-16:30, online, free up to £150] to bring together primary care leaders and teams, voluntary sector organisations and people with lived experience to discuss priority actions for the future of primary care. The focus of the conference will be on making what matters to people matter in primary care. The conference will include a range of high profile speakers and thought leaders within primary care. There are four ticket options available, you can select 'General Admission' for a free ticket, or donate £50, £100 or £150. Register here  

RESOURCE: free online or telephone counselling for women

Choices Prison Counselling have a new project which offers free counselling on line or by telephone to female ex offenders who are reasonably stable in the community. This is a safe space for them to begin to process their many losses with trained counsellors. Follow this link for more information or contact info@choicesislington.org

OPPORTUNITY: Working Chance survey and prize

Share your views and you could win a £100 gift card! Working Chance has launched a new online survey for women who have had experience with the criminal justice system. You don't need to have used Working Chance services to respond to this survey - if you're a woman with a conviction, you can share your thoughts to help improve their employability service. The survey will be open until 30 June. Share your views here

FEATURED VACANCY: Accommodation Advisor

Do you have experience of proactively managing a fluctuating caseload and providing advocacy on behalf of clients to other agencies and authorities? Then join Shelter as an Accommodation Advisor [£29,012, full time, home based with travel across Lincolnshire] and you could soon be playing a vital role aimed at providing invaluable resettlement support to people with convictions. Find out more and apply by 3 July here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Project Officer with Foundation [£24,054 - £26,845, York, Hambleton and Richmond, part time]; Peer Coordinator with St Giles Trust [£12,500 - £17,500 Norwich base with travel within the Eastern Region, part time]; Senior Fundraising Officer with St Giles Trust [£32,500 - £35,000, Hybrid working with 1-2 days per week at St Giles Head Office, Camberwell, full time]; Business Development Manager with Clean Break [£40,000, Hybrid: Kentish Town / Remote, full time]; Development Manager with Clean Break [£30,000 - £34,000, Hybrid: Remote / Kentish Town, full time]; Development Co-ordinator with Clean Break [£26,250, Hybrid: Kentish Town / Remote, full time]; A&E Hospital Intervention Caseworker with St Giles Trust [£23,000, West Midlands Hospitals (Coventry & Russell’s Hall Hospital), full time]; SOS+ Embedded Mentor & Facilitator with St Giles Trust [£27,000 - £31,000, Schools across Avon & Somerset, full time]; Casual Visits Centre Assistant with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [£21255, HMP Ford, part time]; Family Practitioner with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [£25,500, Birmingham Hub, full time]

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

About Clinks Light Lunch

This edition of Light Lunch has been sent to the inbox of 13766 people working (or with an interest) in the criminal justice system of England and Wales.

If you would like to include something in a future edition of Light Lunch, use our submission form.

Get involved Become a Member | Follow Clinks on Twitter

Contact us www.clinks.org | info@clinks.org | 020 4502 6774

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

Registered office: 82A James Carter Road, Mildenhall, Suffolk, IP28 7DE 

Registered charity: 1074546 | Company limited by guarantee in England & Wales: 3562176

© Clinks, 2023

Clinks logo

Unsubscribe from this newsletter