Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 837 | 28 June 2024

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CLINKS NEWS: What the parties said about sentencing

Following our round up of the major parties' manifestos, in our latest blog post Specialist Policy Officer, Franklin Barrington explores the commitments around sentencing and prisons and the impact they might have on people in contact with the criminal justice system, and the voluntary organisations who support them. Read more.

CLINKS NEWS: Small Charity Week

This week we have joined the sector in celebration of Small Charity Week [24-28 June]. At Clinks we are proud that 74% of our membership are small charities dedicated to criminal justice across England and Wales. Small charities do vital work that addresses the health and social care needs of people in the criminal justice system (CJS). These organisations work in prisons and in local communities, delivering frontline health services, providing holistic support, advocacy, information and advice, assisting people to understand and manage their health needs. During Small Charity Week, we continue to recognise and support their crucial work. 

CLINKS NEWS: It is Gypsy, Roma Traveller month

Across the UK, Romani (Gypsy), Roma, and Irish Traveller communities face profound challenges, especially within the criminal justice system, but these challenges start long before their first interaction with the police - systematic inequities and bias can start as early as school. 

In this Clinks blog we hear from Grace, a Senior Policy Officer at The Traveller Movement, where we explore some of the challenges experienced from these communities, including school exclusion, bullying or harassment. This extends into discriminatory sentencing and incarceration. 

Read the blog here: The Struggles of Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller Families in the Criminal Justice System

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: Art transforms lives

Over 90% of organisations in the NCJAA are small charities working to ensure those in the criminal justice system get vital, and life-changing, access to arts and culture. The NCJAA has written a blog outlining the importance of Arts in the criminal justice system and how we support them.  

CLINKS EVENT: Clinks Chair Q&A event

Have you thought about taking on the role of Clinks Chair? Discover what it takes to lead our dynamic board and drive impactful change. Bring your questions for Clinks Chair Roma Hooper OBE and CEO Anne Fox. Join us for our Chair recruitment session Q&A [15 July, 12:30, online, free]. 
Register here to attend this session

MEMBER FOCUS: Purfleet Trust

Purfleet Trust aims to help people experiencing homelessness rebuild their lives and achieve their full potential by providing a range of support services tailored to their needs. By doing so, they aim to reduce homelessness and help vulnerable individuals become self-sufficient and independent. 

At the heart of everything they do is their commitment to treating every person who comes to them with compassion, respect, and dignity. They believe that by providing a welcoming and supportive environment, they can help individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve their full potential.  

Purfleet Tust wants everyone to be afforded access to to safe, secure housing and accommodation. Find out more about Purfleet Trust 

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Prison service is neglecting vital race and equality work

An urgent reprioritisation of equalities and diversity work is needed by the Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) according to a new report published by the Prison Reform Trust.

The report is based on a national consultation, conducted by the Prisoner Policy Network (PPN)—a network of prisoners, ex-prisoners, and supporting organizations hosted by the Prison Reform Trust. It includes contributions from both prisoners and staff and seeks to understand how contributors’ own ethnicity had impacted on their time in prison; and explore their views on racial equality and discrimination in the system. Read the report here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Reforming the prison system

Pact has published its priorities for an incoming government to address the challenges facing the criminal justice system. Proposals include increasing investment in family services, reforming the Mental Health Act, and establishing a Royal Commission on Justice to remove politics from prison policy. Read "Reforming the prison system" here  

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: the barriers to studying in prison

Lived Experience Consultants (LECs) Will and Erika Flowers share some of the data and findings gathered in prisons across England and Wales over the last nine months as part of Prisoners' Education Trust's National Lottery Community Fund project to reach and support more learners in prison. Read the blog: The barriers to studying in prison: what PET learners told us

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: Society Matters training

Understanding Stress and Mental Health, CPD Accredited [25 July, online, £89.00 + VAT]
Do you feel adequately prepared to provide support to individuals dealing with mental health challenges? If not, this course is designed to assist you in your journey. Book your place here

Getting to Grips with Disability Living Allowance for Children [31 July, online, £89.00 + VAT]
This session equips you and your team with a comprehensive grasp of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children. This knowledge will alleviate the burden on parents and healthcare providers faced with the daunting 40-page application form, enhancing the prospects of successful claims. Book your place here

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENT: criminal justice forum in Sussex

For the past few years, Making it Out has been hosting a series of criminal justice forum meetings for organisations working within Sussex that work with people who have recent or prolonged exposure to the criminal justice sector.

These meetings exist to provide a space for practitioners to meet and discuss issues relevant to the criminal justice sector their service users experiences. In particular the focus of the meetings is to improve communication across the sector, bring together statutory and voluntary services and to bring in organisations that work with these groups without it being the sole focus of their organisation.

This next meeting [July 4 July, 11:00 - 13:00, Belfour Beatty 'Living Places' in Ringmer, in person, free] will include information about the opportunties they have for prison leavers in the construction sector. Forum organisers are happy to hear suggestions for topics for the agenda, please email admin@makingitout.co.uk with these or any other questions and reserve your tickets here.

FUNDING: UK Fund for Women and Girls

Rosa, the UK Fund for Women and Girls is launching the second round of the "Stand With Us" fund to support organisations making the UK safer for women and girls. The fund offers one-year grants of up to £25k to organisations delivering frontline services addressing male violence against women and girls in the UK.

The Stand With Us fund was designed in close consultation with voluntary sector experts and aims to strengthen the many organisations run by and for women who stand up and take action every single day to address male violence against women and girls in the UK. The fund aims to enable organisations to be in a stronger position to survive, thrive and grow by investing in organisational development work. Deadline for applications is [17:00, 30 July]. Follow this link for more information and to apply 

OPPORTUNITY: 10% discount for Small Charity Week

The Association of Chairs (AoC) is aware of the multitude of challenges that small charities face every single day. To support Small Charity Week they’re offering all small charities (annual income of less than £1m) 10% off annual membership, usually £60/yr. You’ll get access to their bespoke resources for Chairs, their expert training and events, and their collaborative community of charity Chairs. Find the offer on their website

PUBLICATION: the Struggles of Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller Families

Marking Gypsy Roma Traveller month this June Clinks Policy and Communication Officer, Marianne met with Senior Policy Officer at The Traveller Movement Grace to discuss the challenges within the criminal justice system. Read Clinks latest blog post for a summary of key take-aways including Grace's reflections on discriminatory sentencing and incarceration and community initiatives and advocacy. Read more. 

PUBLICATION: When a family member goes to prison

Researchers from Newcastle University have co-produced and launched a series of sketches which illustrate young people's lived experience of having a family member in prison in England and Wales. This work was conducted as part of the ESRC-funded Divided Households study in collaboration with Families Outside, Nepacs and Shona Minson. Brought to life with the help of illustrator Jack Brougham, they follow the journeys of five fictional characters all created by our participants during longitudinal research interviews. The sketches were then curated through co-production sessions (online and in person) with the researcher before being sent on to Jack (for anonymity purposes) who developed the sketches according to young people's feedback. View the sketches here

FEATURED VACANCY: Service Delivery Manager 

Spark Inside is seeking a Service Delivery Manager [£33,437, Full-Time, East Midlands] to lead their delivery at HMP Ranby and across the region. This role is ideal for someone who thrives at building relationships with young people, is highly organised, and has the passion to achieve outcomes in challenging environments. This is an exciting on-the-ground position, working mainly within prisons in East Midlands, but as part of a team working in prisons nationally, as well as in the community in partnership with other organisations. You will be responsible for engaging young people in prison and in the community to participate in Spark Inside's life coaching workshops and one-to-one coaching. [Find out more and apply by 8 July here] 

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Project Worker (Criminal Justice) with Back on Track [£27,800 - £32,000, Manchester, full time]; x 3 Community Key Worker - Hertfordshire (Waltham Cross/St Albans/Stevenage) with ADVANCE (Advocacy and Non-Violence Community Education) [£22,000 - £26,000, Hertfordshire (Waltham Cross/St Albans/Stevenage), full time]; CYP Specialist Exploitation Caseworker with St Giles Trust [£25,500 - £28,000, Somerset (hybrid working), full time]; Support Worker - Criminal Justice Service with Hestia Housing & Support [£25,615, Brent, part time]; Service Manager - Criminal Justice Service with Hestia Housing & Support [£39,085, Bromley, full time]; Through The Gate/Releases Worker with Phoenix Futures [£17,635, HMP Pentonville, part time]; Project Facilitator with Spurgeons [£13,016 - £15,180, Surrey based, working within the community, part time]; Fundraising Officer with Switchback [£29,743 - £32,447, London/Hybrid working, full time]; Women's* Accommodation Support Worker (WASW) West Sussex with Brighton Women's Centre [£27,490, cover the weekly Worthing hub, and outreach across West Sussex, part time]; Women's* Accommodation Support Worker (WASW) East Sussex and Brighton with Brighton Women's Centre [£27,490, cover East Sussex casework, part time]

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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