Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 834 | 07 June 2024

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In this issue...

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS:

The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) have shared the Inspiring Futures research report. Inspiring Futures was an ambitious programme of work that examined how and why arts interventions impact on the lives of people in the criminal justice system, and how to best optimise their effect. Led by the NCJAA, the project was a unique collaboration, bringing together eight leading arts in criminal justice organisations, Cambridge University Institute of Criminology, and participants within the criminal justice system.

The report was launched at the Anne Peaker Lecture 2024. NCJAA Manager, Janette Ssembusi, shares more about the research project and its ties with the Lecture in this blog. You can read the full Inspiring Futures research report here.

CLINKS EVENT: coming up in June

The following events will be hosted by Clinks this month:

Visit the Clinks events and training page for more information.

CLINKS EVENT: Clinks' Members Connect

Don't miss out on Clinks' Members Connect [24 June, 10:00 - 11:30, online, free]. This virtual event is your chance to connect with fellow members and the Clinks team, where you'll discover exclusive updates, resources, and member benefits. Engage in interactive sessions, including Q&A opportunities and member-focused discussions, tailored to help you get the most out of your membership. Plus, be the first to learn about a new member benefit launching during the event! Whether you're a longstanding member or considering joining, this event is for you. Register now to secure your spot and unlock the full potential of your Clinks membership! Register here

MEMBER FOCUS: The Arukah Project C.I.C 

The Arukah Project CIC is a not-for-profit community interest company that aims to raise awareness of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma and how it impacts the lives of those who are in contact with the Justice System, Care experienced or have experienced addictions (alcohol, substance misuse). Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: an unwavering hand of friendship

This #VolunteersWeek The Prison Phoenix Trust are celebrating Caroline who has volunteered for nearly 17 years with the charity. Over this time she has written more than 3,000 letters to people who have reached out for help from prison . On June 27 her dedication and service is to be recognised in Oxfordshire’s Volunteer Celebration Awards where she will be highly commended for long service.

Caroline is one of 31 volunteers, including 15 mentors, at the charity, which helps people in prison use meditation and yoga to aid rehabilitation and to reintegrate into society when they are released. The volunteers’ contributions are essential to the small organisation, which has just 6 paid staff, most working part-time. Read more about Caroline and her remarkable contribution

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: purpose through partnership

Corston Independent Funders’ Coalition (CIFC) has launched its revised Statement of Purpose, through which it’s renewing its commitment to working in partnership to realise a world where women experience justice, fairness, safety, and equitable treatment within a justice system which values their rights and needs.

CIFC is currently made up of ten full members and four friends of the coalition. It doesn’t currently have any pooled funding, but it’s the ambition of some members to achieve this in the future and, as such, CIFC is not currently accepting unsolicited bids for funding.

Find our more about CIFC’s plans and objectives here you can also contact Beth Crosland to join the email update list.

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Muslim women in prison

Leeds Beckett University recently hosted the launch of the Muslim Women in Prison (MWIP) Research and Film event, spearheaded by Dr. Sofia Buncy MBE, DL alongside Ishtiaq Ahmed. The MWIP project, based at Khidmat Centres Bradford, has conducted ground-breaking research on Muslim women in the criminal justice system on its first academic collaboration with Dr Alexandria Bradley (Leeds Beckett University) and Dr Sarah Goodwin (Sheffield Hallam Universitiy).

The research highlights the severe shame and mental health issues faced by Muslim women in prison. A film accompanying the research featured first-hand accounts of cultural challenges and sentencing disparities. The event underscored the need for better cultural awareness training for CJS professionals and featured notable speakers, including Deputy West Yorkshire Mayor Alison Lowe, CEO Fadi Itani, Regional Senior Probation Officer, Michelle Thompson and MP Naz Shah who shared personal experiences with the CJS.

Watch the trailer here, for further information, e-mail mwip@khimat.org.uk

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: seeking office space

Why me?'s current office space is closing and they are looking for a new office that could accommodate 6 desks. If you know of any organisations that could offer free or low-cost desk space, please get in touch via info@why-me.org

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: an evening with Imago Dei

Imago Dei are hosting an in person event to introduce their charity and share the work they are doing to help women both in prison and beyond the gate [6 July, 18:30 - 21:00, Christ Church, Tunbridge Wells, free]. The event will be a chance to hear about their exciting plans for a new project, Grace House. Everyone is welcome, please register here to attend.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: CRS Commissioning updates

Please note that following the dissolution of Parliament on Thursday 30 May 2024 and the current pre-election period, HMPPS/MoJ (like all government departments) is limited in what public communications it can issue, including via this newsletter.  During this time, activity does continue in the development of the recommissioning of rehabilitative services for men and women in prison or on probation across England and Wales and if your organisation is not already registered on the Probation Services Dynamic Framework or Probation Grants Portal on the Jaggaer e-sourcing platform, we would encourage all organisations interested in receiving further information regarding these services to register on the Grants portal, for future communication.  If you are unsure how to register there is a guide on our website - Probation services | Clinks
For any queries contact support@clinks.org 

PUBLICATION: Building Bridges, a citizens' report

Revolving Doors has launched recommendations from the UK's first ever citizens' panel on policing and community safety. The "Building Bridges - Safer Communities" report proposes transformative approaches to fostering public safety, the recommendations (which were written and ranked by a group of 30 Liverpool citizens) emphasise a popular desire for prevention, community engagement and investment in services. Key recommendations include:

1. Greater investment in youth and social services and mental health resources to tackle the underlying causes of crime.
2. Struggling families to be given additional support and connected to strengthened public services.
3. Release of funds to tackle inequality, empower communities and promote active citizenship.

Find out more and read the "Building Bridges - Safer Communities" report here 

PUBLICATION: the Always Hope Project

Innovation Unit are excited to announce that their independent evaluation of the Always Hope Project, conducted by the University of Sussex, has been published. The report tells a story of Always Hope’s impact on young adults with experience of care and custody, leading to young adults reporting they felt listened to, better planning between prison, probation and local authority staff, as well as increased accountability and a deeper understanding of everyone’s roles.

In addition to improvements in the way practitioners work together to support young adults, the report demonstrates the crucial role in resettlement planning of the Lifelong Links model, which provides support in identifying and developing a sustainable and coordinated support network for care leavers, both for when they’re in prison and when they’re released.

To learn more about the impact, read the evaluation or contact their project lead Jessie Ben-Ami 

FEATURED VACANCY: Fundraising and Impact Officer 

Switchback is at an exciting point in their journey of recognising the power of data to make real systemic impact, therefore are seeking a Fundraising and Impact Officer [£29,743-32,447, Full Time, London]. They want to move beyond being only transparent about their output into telling stories of how their organisation makes real lasting change, evidencing their contribution to criminal justice reform. You will be highly organised, numerate, and be comfortable writing and coordinating complex information. You will also have a strong attention to detail, drive, and enthusiasm to deliver targets. You will support Switchback to nurture relationships with funders and improve the fundraising team's data literacy so they can greater demonstrate the impact of their work. [Find out more and apply by 17 June here]. 

FEATURED VACANCY: Senior Therapist 

Willowdene Rehabilitation Ltd is looking for a highly adaptable, resilient and motivated individual to join their team as their Senior Therapist [£45,000 - 50,500, Full Time, Bridgenorth]. Willowdene Rehabilitation is a leading provider of rehabilitative interventions across the criminal justice, substance misuse, homelessness and employability sectors. You will be responsible for leading the team of counsellors, day-to-day management of your caseload, and ensure that their therapy and counselling requirements are being met. You will have strong organisation and prioritisation skills, and sustain well-developed communication and interpersonal skills, self-management and self-awareness. [Find out more and apply by 21 June here] 

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Prison Settling-in Facilitator with St Giles Trust [£28,000 - £34,000, HMP Bullingdon, Oxfordshire, full time]; Embedded Mentor with St Giles Trust [£25,000 - £28,500, Telford, full time]; Regional Development Manager with St Giles Trust [£45,000 - £55,000, Camberwell, but with expectations of regular travel across London and occasionally other regions, full time]; Caseworker - Serious Organised Crime with St Giles Trust [£27,000, Gwent, Wales, full time]; Resolution Mentor with St Giles Trust [£27,000, HMP Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent ST9 0DX, full time]; Volunteers with Friends of Peterborough Prison [Peterborough, part time]; Senior Therapist with Willowdene Rehabilitation Ltd [£45,000 - £50,500, Bridgnorth, full time]; Chief Executive Officer with The JABBS Foundation [£90,000, Birmingham, full time]; CYP Specialist Exploitation Caseworker with St Giles Trust [£25,500 - £28,000, Somerset (hybrid working, with desk space available at Somerset Council offices), full time]; Bounce Back for Kids (BB4K) Support Worker with Alana House, Parents and Children Together [£24,745 - £30,243, The role operates within the community covering Oxfordshire, part time]

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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